Cherry-picking of economic modelling obscures full cost of Rudd ETS
13 October 2009
SWAN’S CHERRY-PICKING OF ECONOMIC MODELLING OBSCURES FULL COST OF RUDD ETS
Treasurer Wayne Swan must release immediately the full modelling he is using to make claims about the costings of alternatives to the Rudd Government’s flawed ETS, Acting Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader on Emissions Trading Design Ian Macfarlane said today.
“Not only has Mr Swan refused to provide the full modelling he has relied on to make his claims, the Rudd Government continues to stonewall about crucial information that casts a shadow over the long-term viability of electricity generators,” Mr Macfarlane said.
“This information is central to revealing the true impact of the Rudd Government’s deeply flawed emissions trading scheme on the cost of electricity for householders and businesses.
“Instead of addressing the serious issues that will cut Australian jobs and undermine the competitiveness of trade-exposed industries under the Rudd Government ETS, Mr Swan is cherry-picking economic modelling and obscuring the real questions his Government must face.
“The Coalition remains committed to negotiating in good faith to address the most destructive elements of the Rudd Government’s flawed ETS.
“The Rudd Government should do the same and immediately release the full Treasury modelling on the Frontier proposal, but more importantly the modelling it has done about the true impact of its flawed emissions trading scheme on electricity prices.”