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8/2/2019 110323165457_110323_witn_australia_carbontax
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BBC Learning EnglishWords in the News23 rd March 2011
Australians are divided over carbon tax
Words in the News British Broadcasting Corporation 2011Page 1 of 3
bbclearningenglish.com
There have been protests in Australia over government plans to introduce a carbon tax.
People who are against the plans say that if other countries don't introduce a similar tax, it
could have a negative impact on Australian jobs and businesses. Phil Mercer reports.
Protestors say they are just ordinary Australian workers and taxpayers who feel betrayed by
the government's plans to put a price on carbon . They insist it would damage the economyand drive up the cost of living by making energy far more expensive.
Man 1: "There is a ground swell of people that have finally had a gutful ."
Man 2: "Since the Labor government has come into this country, the union rules. We just
cannot do it anymore. We have no more money left to pay the taxes."
Reporter: The demonstrators have the support of the conservative opposition leader, Tony
Abbott. He says that without a global carbon pricing agreement, Australian businesses would be less competitive:
Tony Abbott: "A one-sided carbon tax, a unilateral carbon tax is an act of economic self-
harm."
Woman: "Here we have 12,000 signatures supporting action on climate change."
Man 3: "12,000. Fantastic."
Reporter: Supporters of the tax believe it will cut pollution in Australia, which is one of the
world's worst per capita emitters of greenhouse gases, and will also encourage the
development of a low-carbon economy.
The Prime Minister Julia Gillard says that opposition won't derail the plan:
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Words in the News British Broadcasting Corporation 2011Page 2 of 3
bbclearningenglish.com
Julia Gillard: "Now, I understand there's always going to be a variety of views in the
community. We'll see that on display today, but pricing carbon is the right thing for our
nation's future and that's why I am determined to do it."
Reporter: The Prime Minister hopes to bring in a tax on carbon next year, before introducingan emissions trading scheme as early as 2015. She insists that without these key economic
reforms, Australia will be left behind by its international competitors.
Phil Mercer, BBC News, Sydney
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Words in the News British Broadcasting Corporation 2011Page 3 of 3
bbclearningenglish.com
Vocabulary and definitions
betrayed hurt by someone who you believed supported you and your
ideas
carbon here, fossil fuels such as coal, petrol and natural gas; they
produce carbon dioxide when burned and this damages the
environment
drive up force to rise or increase
a ground swell fast growth or shift (of opinion)
had a gutful had enough of, or become fed up with the situation
union trade union, an organisation representing workers, which
tries to achieve common goals
unilateral one-sided, not agreed by everybody involved in a debate
per capita per person
emitters producers
emissions here, harmful gases which are released into the air by
burning fossil fuels
More on this story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12828054
Read and listen to the story and the vocabulary online:http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2011/03/110323_witn_australia_carbontax_page.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12828054http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2011/03/110323_witn_australia_carbontax_page.shtmlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2011/03/110323_witn_australia_carbontax_page.shtmlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12828054