“Climate Change Minister Penny Wong’s proposal to effectively allow voluntary carbon cuts in developing countries would impede Australia’s competitiveness in international markets,” said The Nationals’ Senator Ron Boswell today. “Senator Wong proposes letting developing countries off the emissions reduction hook while Australian companies struggle to compete with new carbon costs.” “In effect, developing countries who are often our competitors in major markets including at home will have their operations subsidised.” “Voluntary carbon cuts by developing countries will do a lot of damage to Australian industry. Surely Senator Wong should be putting Australians first?” “Australians will always do more than pay their way in the global community but it should not be by putting our jobs, exports and industry at risk. That serves to prevent us from being in a position to help others with climate change technology and other assistance. ” Senator Boswell welcomed comments by the Australian Minerals Council today that ‘climate change ... will only be solved with a global deal that provides the same disciplines and rules for all major greenhouse gas emitting nations’.  “Senator Wong proposes that developing countries come up with their own schedule of how and when reductions are made. The ‘when’ could very well be after they’ve taken out their competitors from developed countries.” “All Australian businesses will face increased energy costs as a result of an ETS. If these costs are not born by our many competitors in developing countries, then we will lose market share and profitability.” “Who advises Senator Wong to come up with these ideas that are counter to the national interest while doing nothing to cut global emissions?” ENDS