Combet confirms carbon tax has helped reduce emissions

THE carbon tax has reduced emissions in the National Electricity Network by 7.4% in its first year of operation.

Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Greg Combet. Picture: Cathy Adams

THE carbon tax has reduced emissions in the National Electricity Network by 7.4% in its first year of operation, Climate Change Minister Greg Combet said on Wednesday.

Mr Combet gave an address at the National Press Club one year on from the beginning of the carbon tax, outlining the government's achievements.

He said the Clean Energy package had also contributed to almost 30% growth in the renewable energy sector.

With the carbon tax a key election issue, Mr Combet's speech was an effort to show the package was helping to reduce emissions.

"The fact is that the clean energy policies we have implemented are environmentally effective, economically responsible and socially fair," he said.

"The policy of the alternative government that pretends we can do nothing serious about this issue is already the subject of consternation amongst our trading partners."

Mr Combet said a year in, the policies were achieving their aims, including "cleaning up" industry and helping farmers and land manger to reduce pollution on the land.

Originally published as Combet confirms carbon tax has helped reduce emissions