• The Wheeler Centre

31 October 2011It’s a debate with a decidedly apocalyptic ring: stand by while the dynamics of life on earth change irrevocably, or try to take action that may slow or halt the process – and in so doing possibly compromise our way of life.

Held on the eve of the vote on carbon tax legislation in the Australian parliament, politicians, scientists, academics and stakeholders make their case and plead their cause. Can a tax fix climate change? If not, what will?

Few issues of recent times have divided Australia as much as how we should respond to climate change. The Gillard government’s proposed carbon tax is the most controversial policy proposal in at least a decade. Proponents struggle to convince the public of the link between a new, broad-based tax and climate change mitigation, while opponents wage a war of ideas centred around jobs and household income.

Speakers for the proposition are Stuart Allinson, Matthew Wright and Sinclair Davidson. Arguing against it are Fiona O'Hehir, Tim Flannery and Adam Bandt.