The Australian government released its consultation paper on the proposed reforms to the Safeguard Mechanism on the 18th August. On the same day, three Australian industry associations released press releases on the issue.
The Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA) emphasized the need to provide tailored treatment to emission intensive trade exposed industry, without indication if it supported the reforms.
The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) CEO, Innes Willox, highlighted concerns around competitiveness but also that trade exposed industries should not place the burden on other sectors and appeared to support the transition of the mechanism to an emissions trading scheme.
Business Council of Australia CEO, Jennifer Westacott, stated support for an ‘enhanced’ Safeguard Mechanism but also emphasized that facilities will continue to produce emissions and a considered approach was required to international and domestic offsets.