Gillard's poor promise of carbon pricing

Comments on Paul Kelly and Dennis Shanahan “Julia Gillard's carbon price promise”, 20/08/2010, http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/julia-gillards-carbon-price-promise/story-fn59niix-1225907522983
Gillard's carbon price promise is rather disappointing, based on cowardly short term political motives as opposed to sound economic principles.

She has explicitly ruled out a carbon tax - the most effective and efficient way among all market based mechanisms, due to fears of being attacked by Abbott as a big tax.

This is falling to the same traps that the Rudd government fell into in the Henry tax review by ruling out any possible GST changes from its terms of reference.

This is especially poor since it comes on the eve of or two days before the day of the election.

It is completely unnecessary and self constraining. It is a bad move. It is unlikely to get any additional votes.

It is as ill conceived as her proposal of a citizens' assembly on carbon pricing!