Households' carbon blow to be cushioned
Australian households will receive either tax cuts or increased family payments to offset higher electricity and fuel prices, as the government admits its climate change plan will drive up inflation. The framework of Labor's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme has been released in Canberra, detailing the government's plan to meet its target of bringing down greenhouse emissions by 60% by 2050. The higher family assistance may start before the trading system begins on July 1, 2010, possibly ahead of the next election.