Batman Greens candidate Alex Bhathal says a potential business and manufacturing boom in Darebin is not going to happen while there is no carbon price in Australia.
“Across Australia, there is an estimated $50 billion investment in electricity production awaiting a carbon price signal” said Ms Bhathal in Preston today.
“In places like Darebin, with its traditional manufacturing base and remaining infrastructure, the investment signal creating by legislating a carbon price could potentially provide hundreds of local jobs” said Ms Bhathal.
The Australian Greens want action now on a carbon price set by legislation.
"Energy efficiency, renewable energy measures and saving forests - as already put to Parliament by the Greens - are needed but are not substitutes for a carbon price," said Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown in Canberra today.
"We are ready to set this signal with either a Gillard or Abbott Government after the election.
"However the Gillard delay until 2012 and worse still, the Abbott delay until 2015, before putting the price mechanism to Parliament is not on.
"It leaves business uncertain.
"It leaves the Australian electorate fearful of failure on climate change.
"The Greens' option of the Garnaut-style carbon tax set up to facilitate a future carbon trading scheme is now the live option around which political debate will take place," Senator Brown said.