Government under fire as Alliance plans to launch anti-carbon tax campaign

[BB-Leo]

Government under fire as Alliance plans to launch anti-carbon tax campaign

July 01, 2011



AN alliance of some of the country's biggest industry groups is reportedly preparing to launch a multi-million dollar campaign designed to defeat Prime Minister Julia Gillard's plans to price carbon.
The Australian Trade and Industry Alliance is planning to spend at least $10 million on the campaign, using television, radio, print, the internet and social media to get its anti-carbon tax message across.

The alliance is made up of organisations including the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Minerals Council of Australia, the Australian Food and Grocery Council, the Australian Coal Association, the Plastics and Chemical Industries Association and the Australian Logistics Council, Fairfax reported.

Its campaign will mimic an advertising assault run against the federal government's mining tax about a year ago and could be deployed within seven days of the government announcing the final details of its scheme.

A strategy document belonging to the alliance says its objectives were to "build public opposition to the carbon tax so that it is either substantially modified or fails to pass the parliament".

Government announces carbon tax advertising campaign

Their move comes after the government revealed it would spend $12 million advertising the carbon tax - a move which provoked a furious response from key independent MPs.

Tony Windsor called the campaign "propaganda" in light of the fact it was not a foregone conclusion there would be a carbon tax to advertise.

Fellow independent Rob Oakeshott called the government's move "dumb".

"I would strongly urge the government to reconsider their decision to put the focus on selling something that doesn't exist and put the focus on getting a good policy that should sell itself," he said.

The $12 million campaign includes $3 million in grants for organisations that "help the public understand the challenges of climate change and opportunities for a clean energy future" - which was described as a slush fund for "mates" by critics.

"It is simply creating advertising money for groups such as the ACTU, GetUp or the Climate Institute to advertise in favour of the carbon tax," Opposition climate spokesman Greg Hunt said.
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