ATA wants an emissions trading introduced by 2010, despite calls for it to be delayed due to a faltering economy
The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) says it still wants emissions trading introduced by 2010, despite calls for the scheme to be delayed due to a faltering economy.
The Australian Industry Group today called for the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) to be delayed until 2012, saying companies are under increasing pressure from the global economic crisis.
However, the ATA believes the trucking industry has more to gain from the scheme if it goes ahead.
“The alternative to emissions trading is more regulation in the form of stringent engine requirements or attempts to force our customers to transport their freight by rail or sea, even if those transport modes do not meet their business requirements,” a spokesman for the ATA says.
If emissions trading is delayed, the spokesman says it is more likely the industry will be hit with complex and onerous regulations which will reduce operators’ efficiency.
“The only effect of the scheme on most trucking companies will be to increase the price of diesel after July 2011, because the industry will receive a special credit during the first year of the scheme,” the spokesman says.
While adding that no-one in the industry wants to pay more for fuel, the spokesman says it has become a way of life for companies.
The ATA comments come amid an announcement from the Minister for Climate Change Penny Wong that the Rudd Government will release the exposure draft legislation on the CPRS on March 10.
Senator Wong says the exposure draft legislation will allow the Government to seek consultation on the terms of emissions trading.
“Releasing the exposure draft legislation will provide an early and robust opportunity for the Senate to consider the CPRS before the final legislation enters the Parliament in the winter sittings,” Wong says.