Opposition Estimates Minimum of 12 Months to Repeal Carbon Tax

The Opposition had admitted that it would take them some time to repeal the carbon tax if the Coalition wins the 2013 election in Australia. That means despite the promise by Coalition leader Tony Abbott, Australian businesses would be paying the carbon price of $23 per tonne, which is passed on the consumers, at least for another 12 months.

Opposition small business spokesman Bruce Billson reckoned that the earliest the Coalition could deliver on that campaign promise is between 12 and 14 months.

Mr Billson said the first step that the Coalition would need to take to repeal the controversial levy is to instruct the crafting of legislation. He acknowledged they would need a strong mandate from the public to make their argument stronger before the Senate which would still be controlled by the Labor party even if the Opposition becomes the majority in Parliament.

However, it would be a major battle for the hearts of Australians as recent reports indicate the tide is turning in favour of the Gillard government since more Aussies have favoured the carbon tax within one month of its implementation.

In case the Senate rejects the measure, there would be another three months of wait before it could initiate a similar legislation on the same terms. Another Senate thumbs down would likely trigger a double dissolution.

The next election could be held as early as November 2012 or in 2013, the latest. Given that timetable, that means Aussies would be paying higher prices partly due to the carbon tax at least until the end of 2014.

One of the main hurdles that the Opposition has to overcome to push through with its promise to repeal the carbon tax is to convince the Australian Greens to support the repeal. However, the pro-environment party is saying this early that it would not budge its support for the levy.

"The carbon pricing scheme will not be repealed, it's just as simple as that. There is a whole lot of talk about after the election an Abbott government would repeal the carbon tax, it just won't happen," The Herald Sun quoted Greens leader Christine Milne.

She said more businesses are now committed to a zero carbon economy and working toward that goal. Ms Milne said the Coalition needs to change its leader or policy on the carbon tax, or both as she foresees more repositioning within the Liberal Party over its carbon policy in the next 12 months.

Besides the Greens, the Coalition would also need to contend with the Clean Energy sector which was observed to be anxious over a possible Coalition win in the next election.

Business Spectator, in an analysis of past elections, said chances of an Abbott win in a landslide is not as high based on recent Coalition routs in New South Wales and Queensland. The paper also pointed out that despite the Labor Party's weak voter approval, Mr Abbott's approval rating as a future prime minister is neither that strong.