Pro-green but confused over tax

Both the government and the opposition have bandied terms about on the proposed carbon tax, confusing people about what the tax really means for them.

Whilst the government waxes lyrical over Australia’s “clean energy future” and “making big polluters pay”, there may be truth to opposition leader Tony Abbott’s slamming of the government’s policy as “socialism masquerading as environmentalism”. The proposed raising of the tax-free threshold from $6 000 to $18 000 and an increase of the upper tax rate means redistribution of the wealth in addition to the tax.

We asked Sydneysiders their thoughts on being better off or worse off with a carbon tax.

Thea Eikemo, Mosman	Graham Barber, Darlinghurst	Kathleen Brown, Parramatta
“I really don’t know enough about it. I guess it depends on how it affects increase costs of consumables and transport costs, supermarket shopping, that sort of thing.” Reporter: Do you agree with the government’s proposed tax? “I kind of do, I think it’s everyone’s responsibility”.	“I’ll be worse off, according to the papers. I’m single, one income, a person earning over $100 thousand dollars, so I’ll be paying more.” “It’s a good idea but it’s poorly implemented, poorly explained.” Reporter: So do you agree with the Coalition’s policy? “Not at all. It’s a do nothing, head in the sand approach.”	“You’re always going to be worse off if you’re getting taxed. There’ll be less money left from my pension.” Reporter: What if you receive more in your pension? “If they balance it up, I won’t complain.”