Why Rush to Repeal Australia's Carbon Laws?

In an op-ed piece published today John Connor of the Climate Institute makes the plea to not rush and repeal Australia's climate management laws.

Full text is here - http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-02/connor-dont-rush-to-repeal-our-effective-carbon-laws/5561638

I somehow think this will fall on deaf ears.......but it is a reasonable proposition!

As he points out, they are actually working.  And the broad swath of society is now more comfortable with the system.  Yes, energy intensive industries - think aluminium smelting - is suffering, but there are also other factors at work here including overall issues about metal demand and labour costs.  Maybe further measures are warranted if it is worthwhile saving.

I have no doubt that if repealed consumers will not get back the so called additional costs incurred because of a carbon tax - we will get diddled - absolutely sure to happen.  And already some commentators are saying maybe only 50% reduction of current energy costs from law repeal.

Australia is progressing well with distributed solar PV rollout around the country, adding to more low carbon energy production.  Fossil fuel generation of power is down, but that is associated with lower demand generally, and a small contribution from distributed power production [ local PV, hydro, wind etc] as well as a better focus on energy efficiency in buildings and similar areas.  These latter changes are still ongoing and offer much more options for reducing energy consumption in buildings especially - a major user of energy. Industry is also reducing water use - and in water there are considerable energy costs associated with distribution and use of that water.  More can be done, I am sure, in these areas.

There is more coming too, as manufacturers are forced or voluntarily, adjust processes to have more efficient appliances eg recent new appliance and air conditioner energy standards in the US and Australia., and as way of example, less energy consumption in newer TV sets.

The real issue may be not their repeal...........but whether there are the numbers to do so in Parliament, whatever!

It will be interesting.  

And - I agree, it is sensible to leave them alone at least for a while as they are working -  and much of the rhetoric coming from the Australian government is muddying the issue - many countries and regions we trade with  are developing systems similar to what we have already.  Why change now?