Tony Abbott Believes Carbon Tax 'Not Good for Jobs, Environment' as More Aussies Support Climate Action
More Australians consider global warming as a serious issue as the Abbott government chooses to not consider climate change a priority. In the latest Lowy Institute poll, the number of Australians who think global warming is a "serious and pressing" concern has increased on its second consecutive year.
The poll revealed an increase of 38 per cent among Australia's population support the idea that global warming should be addressed gradually.
The institute's annual survey tracks attitudes on issues concerning national security and geopolitical issues. About 46 per cent of Australians believe global warming is a "critical threat" to the country's "vital interests." Those who think global warming is an important issue ranked it behind other concerns like terrorism, nuclear threats and asylum seekers.
The poll also showed that younger Australians are more concerned about global warming.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tony Abbott is set to re-introduce a bill to repeal carbon tax ahead of the Senate in July. According to Mr Abbott's statement, removing the carbon tax is a "vital part" of the government's strategy for economic action.
The prime minister believes that carbon tax is "bad for jobs", hurts families and "doesn't help the environment." Mr Abbott said each typical Australian household can save about $516 or UA$550 every year.
The Labour and Greens parties had challenged Mr Abbott to a double dissolution election after the Senate has voted down a bill to scrap the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) for the second time.
The Senate shot down the bill to repeal carbon tax last week with 35 votes against 28. According to reports, the Opposition, Greens and Independent Sen. Nick Xenophon were all against the abolition of the $10 billion-CEFC which has investments in renewable energy development. This was the second time the bill was voted down in the Senate setting the stage for a challenge of a double dissolution election.
However, reports said Mr Abbott intends to "work constructively" with the new Senate in July as major parts of his budget may be blocked by the opposition. Speaking after the Senate challenged him to a double dissolution election after rejecting a bill to scrap the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, Abbott said he was reaching out to smooth relationships with the Upper House. He said the Coalition government was determined to pass its budget.
