The Gillard carbon tax plan

For those who are interested, you will find the broad details of the Australian Government's carbon tax plan here. I started listening to the announcement this morning and then turned the TV off. My problem was that I really wanted to know what they were doing, not why it it was a good thing. I got lost.

From my read, the plan actually mixes together a number of somewhat disconnected things, some good, some not so good, some whose meaning is unclear.

I may comment in more detail later. For the present, The carbon tax: the experts respond, provides a potted summary of one set of views.

On a purely personal note that has little to do with the topic, Sydney has been cold and I am tired of feeling cold. I grew up in a cold climate, but there was always one room that was really warm. Not so in this house designed on the assumption that Sydney is warm! I am wearing a jumper plus duffle coat as I write and I am still cold.

The house has an air conditioner that can be used to warm, but it costs an arm and a leg to run and really only takes the edge off the cold even when set on 24c. Oh for an open fire or at least a wood or oil heater!

Maybe not so disconnected with the theme after all. It's only recently that we have begun to think of electricity as a luxury!