Australia to announce carbon tax of $23, say media reports

The Australian government is set to announced a carbon tax of $23 as the government concluded political negotiations with all the parties recently. Prime Minister Julia Gillard had led the negotiations with the Greens and Independents on several issues regarding the proposed carbon tax.

Among other decisions taken during the negotiations, use of petrol by cars, light vehicles and small businesses has been exempted from the carbon tax. However, heavy commercial vehicles such as trucks have not been exempted. It is expected that public transport might eventually been affected by the carbon tax.