Julia Gillard’s controversial carbon tax has seen some support from businesses, with more than 50 signing a statement backing a price on carbon.
The companies include GE, AGL, the AIIA and Fujitsu. They have also launched a website, Businesses for a Clean Economy (www.b4ce.com.au), to help businesses have a say in the carbon price debate.
The website’s objectives are to:
- Provide a united businesses voice in support of a price on carbon pollution.
- Develop shared messaging on a price on carbon that supportive business can use to counter negative messaging.
- Provide informed factual information about the impacts of a price on carbon including the benefits to Australian business.
- Provide an alliance for other business to join who ordinarily wouldn't have a voice.
However, many Australian exporters are worried about the implications of the tax, according to a survey by the Australian Institute of Export (AIEx).
The AIEx has over 800 members, and the survey was largely taken from a pool of small to medium-sized exporters It claims more than 70 per cent of respondents are concerned with the implications of an enforced carbon tax. 65 per cent of respondents said job losses were likely, and 57 per cent said at least 10 jobs would be lost.
Australian exporters also struggle with a high dollar value - 85 per cent surveyed said the strength of the dollar was having a negative impact on sales.
