More than four projects - from a gas-fired power station to wind farms ball mill for sale and solar projects - could reduce the area's carbon footprint and provide more employment. But according to the Nationals it is "not enough".
Federal member for Parkes Mark Coulton was one of the leaders of the carbon tax rally in Canberra this week.
"This is evidence the people of Australia do not want a carbon tax," he said, as thousands of people rallied on the lawns of Parliament House to protest the Gillard government's proposed carbon tax.
Nationals leader Warren Truss and Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce addressed the crowd and reinforced that the National Party opposed a carbon tax. They also highlighted the impacts of a tax on industry and employment.
Greens leader Senator Bob Brown, who has written jaw crusher supplier o the prime minister expressing his disgust at the behaviour of some protesters, said the posters were "particularly offensive, really quite disgusting".
Prime Minister Julia Gillard was similarly appaled.
"The amazing thing for me is that politicians of such experience as Tony Abbott and his senior colleagues are so intrusive," she said.
"This is an important policy debate that should not be distracted by extreme views.
"People should have their say but their contribution should be judged by its quality, not its volume. Australia must reject the extremes of the debate, no matter from where on the political mtw grinding mill pectrum they emerge.''
The government hasn't released details of the carbon tax yet, including the price, however it is estimated that under a $26 a tonne carbon price power bills would increase $300 a year and petrol prices would rise 6.5 cents a litre.
The latest Commodity Companion from the team at RBS has recently been released. This is a hefty tome, redolent with figures and forecasts, covers not only the base and precious metals, but important steel components and the major elements of the energy complex. The study highlights how many commodities in 2010 enjoyed their strongest consumption growth in decades as a result of the synchronised recovery in world growth. Driven further by "acute investor attention", prices of many commodities hit records, giving many producers high operating volumes and strong cash positions; the expectation is that many commodities will enjoy robust growth in supply from now through to 2014.
Mr Coulton expressed concern for the impact on families.
"This carbon tax will put pressure on families, especially families in regional and rural areas, with increased electricity, food and petrol prices," he said.
"Under this carbon tax, driving to the supermarket will become more expensive, as will the food you intend to purchase."
