Climate Change

Westpac says carbon tax compensation could lift economy but retailers cautious

mheffernan@smartcompany.com.au (Madeleine Heffernan) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 23:21:46 +0000

The carbon tax might not prove to be the financial disaster many individuals and companies fear, with Westpac tipping compensation for low-income earners and tax changes associated with carbon scheme could provide a fillip for spending next year.

Solar industry in chaos as pioneer Solar Shop placed into receivership

pstafford@smartcompany.com.au (Patrick Stafford) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 01:09:34 +0000

The downturn in the solar industry has now reached one of the country's most recognisable brands, with Adelaide-based Solar Shop being put into the hands of receivers as the industry continues to suffer under volatile changes to subsidies and benefits.

Carbon projects investment fund collapses

pstafford@smartcompany.com.au (Patrick Stafford) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 01:17:01 +0000

An Australian investment firm that has invested in forestry carbon credit projects in the Asian and Pacific Island regions appointed administrators yesterday as the clean-energy industry continues to come under pressure.

New South Wales insulation maker collapses, blames failure of Government scheme

pstafford@smartcompany.com.au (Patrick Stafford) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:29:45 +0000

Yet another company involved in the insulation industry has collapsed, with Intelligent Solar announcing late last week that it had appointed administrators after having sustained heavy losses due to ramping up production for the Government's insulation program.

Melbourne clean tech SME bought by US group for $28 million

jthomson@smartcompany.com.au (Oliver Milman) — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:41:10 +0000

A leading investment fund has predicted a flurry of action among start-ups in the clean tech space following the $28 million acquisition of demand response company Energy Response by US-based Enernoc.

SmartCompany poll gives carbon tax plan the thumbs down

mheffernan@smartcompany.com.au (Madeleine Heffernan) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 02:36:06 +0000

SmartCompany readers have spoken and it appears that Prime Minister Julia Gillard has a big job ahead of her to sell the carbon tax.

CARBON TAX: Personal tax changes tinkering rather than reform, experts say

mheffernan@smartcompany.com.au (Madeleine Heffernan) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 02:22:46 +0000

Experts say the Government’s changes to personal tax thresholds are more tinkering than bold reform and have been driven by the desire to get the contentious carbon tax across the line rather than follow through on Henry Tax Review recommendations.

CARBON TAX: A sector by sector guide

pstafford@smartcompany.com.au (Patrick Stafford) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 02:01:43 +0000

The Government’s carbon tax has finally been released to the public and millions of businesses are struggling to find out how they will be hit, with many warning that they will need to pass on extra costs to consumers.

CARBON TAX: Take the SmartCompany Poll

jthomson@smartcompany.com.au (James Thomson) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 01:16:55 +0000

Has the Government got it right with its Carbon Tax package? Take our short anonymous survey and share your thoughts.

Start Survey

CARBON TAX: Experts welcome instant asset tax write-off for small business

mheffernan@smartcompany.com.au (Madeleine Heffernan) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 01:05:43 +0000

Accountants have welcomed the Government’s decision to increase the instant asset tax write-off to $6500 from $5000 but questions remain about how SMEs will cope with increased costs.

CARBON TAX: SMEs want more detail on price impacts as business warns of impact on competitiveness

pstafford@smartcompany.com.au (Patrick Stafford) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:44:30 +0000

Business groups have welcomed the fact that they now have some certainty around Government intentions but have warned that the competitiveness of some sectors will be impacted and have demanded more modelling on how the tax will affect SMEs in various industries.

CARBON TAX: Labor’s unholy carbon marriage: Kohler

jthomson@smartcompany.com.au (James Thomson) — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 23:33:51 +0000

Australia’s latest and probably its last climate change scheme is the child of a marriage between unstoppable bureaucratic momentum and political desperation.

Gillard ties carbon tax to income tax cuts, bigger asset write-off for small business

jthomson@smartcompany.com.au (James Thomson) — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 02:48:54 +0000

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says around 90% of households will receive income tax cuts and direct payments under the Government’s carbon tax plan, with small businesses with turnover of less than $2 million set to see the instant asset tax write-off increased from $5,000 to $6,500 to encourage investment in energy efficiency.

NSW solar industry in “massive trouble” as Perth-based hot water firm hit with payment demand from note holders

pstafford@smartcompany.com.au (Patrick Stafford) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 02:16:50 +0000

ASX-listed developer of solar hot water technology Intelligent Solar is in trouble after it announced yesterday it had received a notice of default from a trustee acting on behalf of convertible note holders which requires immediate repayment.

$23 per tonne carbon tax tipped to target fewer companies

mheffernan@smartcompany.com.au (Madeleine Heffernan) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 01:15:05 +0000

The carbon tax is expected to target less than 1% of companies but will cost around $4 billion over four years following a promise to exclude SMEs and households from fuel price hikes and to offer compensation to other manufacturing businesses.

Could housing be our next green growth industry? Burgess

jthomson@smartcompany.com.au (Rob Burgess) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 00:09:38 +0000

There are a lot of unfinished sentences in the raging carbon tax debate. Labor has developed some well-polished lines to sell the tax/ETS but avoids mentioning their necessary corollaries.

The carbon tax details to be revealed Sunday, but business still divided

mheffernan@smartcompany.com.au (Madeleine Heffernan) — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 02:04:10 +0000

Prime Minister Julia Gillard is set to finally unveil details of the proposed carbon tax on Sunday but business remains deeply divided on the issue.

Innovation will ensure Australia adapts to low-carbon economy: Garnaut

mheffernan@smartcompany.com.au (Madeleine Heffernan) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 01:30:59 +0000

The Government's climate change adviser, Ross Garnaut, says the Gillard Government's attempt to put a price on carbon is one of the most difficult policy struggles ever attempted, and warns if Australia fails to take action against global warming now, it will simply pay more in the future.

Carbon price to have marginal impact on economy, income: Swan

mheffernan@smartcompany.com.au (Madeleine Heffernan) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 00:13:50 +0000

The Government is expected to reveal Treasury modelling today showing a carbon price would have a marginal impact on incomes and the rapidly growing economy over the next 40 years, and describe its plans for a price on pollution as the "next crucial frontier."

Carbon tax job warnings overblown: Academic

mheffernan@smartcompany.com.au (Madeleine Heffernan) — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 01:59:58 +0000

Warnings a carbon tax could lead to massive job losses have been dismissed by a new academic report, as rallies were held over the weekend in support for action on climate change.