that in respect of a), such innovation is underway already and will reduce energy and manufacturing costs where it occurs as well as developing new technologies, and that this will further reduce the competitiveness of Australian manufacturing. In respect of b), Australian industry has a proud history of privatising profits and socialising costs, eg training, R&D, in the absence of incentives to bear the costs of improvement here and now for a future return. While a domestic and global price on CO2 is necessary to reduce emissions in the short to medium term, it seems to me that it is present domestic behaviour which most needs immediate modification for Australia survive and thrive in an energy efficient, low-carbon future. about 1 year ago Shirley Birney retiree (logged in via email @tpg.com.au) "Ignorant men raise questions that wise men answered a thousand years ago." (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe) Environmental Protection agencies in Australia were established as far back as 1970: Initially there were a few good men -- the rest have been captured by their "clients" -- pollutant industries. The Acts have been manipulated, violated and corrupted by successive governments in all states of the nation: "An Act to provide for an Environmental Protection Authority, for the prevention, control... "Ignorant men raise questions that wise men answered a thousand years ago." (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe) Environmental Protection agencies in Australia were established as far back as 1970: Initially there were a few good men -- the rest have been captured by