Are the truths of the carbon tax really what are shown in the media?
The media has publicized the ideas of the carbon tax through the perspective of the Liberal party and their supporters, discussing the negative impact without addressing the other side. But now the truths that have been hidden are finally being exposed, those that are the positives of the carbon tax.
Those that believed the carbon tax would be the end of our economy and the Australian lifestyle have again been proven wrong. The supposed “catastrophe” that would be ignited resulting from the carbon tax has not met the standard that has been preached by Tony Abbott since the tax was announced. Though Abbott attempted to scare Australians with what would be “destroyed”, many Australians see no difference since the tax began in July. More than half of those polled in a Herald-Nielsen poll say the carbon tax has had no effect on their lives. The truth is that the fear of the tax was a lot worse than the reality of it.
Many negatives have been found by Abbott and the Liberal party, whereas the positives of the carbon tax have been hidden in an attempt to sway votes. According to CQU Professor of regional economic development, John Rolfe, the carbon tax is set to not only combat climate change but also assist small businesses. Rolfe believes the carbon tax will improve conditions for local businesses as it will enable businesses to become more competitive. This positive has been hidden behind the threat of lost business and jobs by Abbott, meaning again the media is publishing stories that influence the reader in that direction.
Abbott’s “scare campaign” has attracted many supporters who have been fed exaggerations of the truth. The negatives that Labor have been forced to admit have been inflated into life changing disasters. The media happily latches onto these, causing the public to agree without knowing the truth. After Abbott admitted the carbon tax is not exactly a “catastrophe”, a sort of catch phrase that the media has fed on for months, Treasurer Wayne Swan accused the coalition of running a campaign that was a fraud and continued by saying that we are witnessing Abbott being mugged by the truth.
The Labor party has been defending their tax in hope of the positives swaying Australia’s views. This is somewhat efficient but in some cases stating the obvious, that there are negatives involved to achieve a positive, has worked in their favour. Climate Change Minister Greg Combethas said rather bluntly that the carbon tax “is a pretty tough reform” but then stated the reasoning behind it, “that’s because it is such an important issue”. By addressing the ideas the coalition have used to influence the media and then the public against the carbon tax, Labor is able to influence us to also accept the negatives that come with the massive positive.
The truth is that the politicians and the media, along with every Australian, should be embracing that Australia is combating what will end up ruining our planet instead of fighting over the negatives that according to the Liberal party may impact our country and that won’t matter in the long run.
Bibliography
Hartcher, P. (2012) ‘Hope for labour: Now a landslide, not a catastrophe’ Available from http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/hope-for-labor-now-only-a-landslide-not-a-catastrophe-20120826-24uke.html [accessed: 29 August 2012]
SMH.com.au (2012) ‘Labour goes for Abbott on carbon tax’ Available from http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/labor-goes-for-abbott-on-carbon-tax-20120826-24u7d.html[accessed: 29 August 2012]
Calderwood, K. (2012) ‘Tax changes benefit businesses’Available at http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/story/2012/09/03/carbon-tax-changes-will-bring-a-level-playing-fiel/ [accessed: 3 September 2012]
ABC News (2012) ‘Controversial carbon tax takes effect’ Available at http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-01/carbon-tax-takes-effect/4102830 [accessed: 3 September 2012]
I agree. It was so easy for Abbott to scare people into being afraid of the carbon tax. I think that considering the already high cost of living, that continues to rise, of course people were going to be more likely to be persuaded that our cost of living would become unsustainable. There are so many families struggle to keep up with the cost of living already, that imposing a tax was inevitably going to be controversial, especially since Gillard denied a carbon tax would take place under her government. As you pointed out, people tend to focus on the short term rather than the long term. In this case people neglected to remember that if we don’t at least try to do something to help the environment, we won’t have to worry about the cost of living for future generations because they’ll be too busy trying to breathe in a wasted environment.
I agree that the negativity towards the Carbon Tax was unnecessarily embraced by the Liberal party, the facts of the situation should have been clearly laid out for the public to make their own informed decision.
Concepts like the Carbon tax must be environmentally viable enough to withstand the criticism that may come from short term social changes. If not, then time and energy may be better spent on more environmentally worthwhile concepts.
I agree with your last paragraph and think that the government as a whole should be looking to find the most effective solution for such serious environmental issues, rather than frightening the public away from ideas of change with the use of big words as you discussed with Abbott’s ‘scare campaign’.
I agree that the fear of the tax was a lot worse than the reality of it. I also agree that the Liberal party had a lot of negativity towards the carbon tax that was unnecessary, I feel they should have been more open to the idea as in the long run it is supposed to better our quality of life and the fact that it may improve conditions for local businesses is an upside to the tax. I am glad that Tony Abbott has admitted that the carbon tax was not exactly a catastrophe and I agree with Wane Swan that he is now being ‘mugged by the truth’. As a result of this I think he will lose votes.
I agree with your last paragraph and feel that it is more important to embrace that Australia is combating what will end up ruining our planet. Good job Georgia!