The federal government has released a guidance paper to assess activities of the Emissions Intensive Trade Exposed (EITE) assistance program under the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.
This comes in the midst of political bickering over the government's proposed emissions trading scheme with Labor, the Greens and the Nationals all involved in heated debate over which is the best way forward.
The Greens and the Opposition have combined forces to set up a Senate inquiry to examine the scheme just days after the government dumped its own enquiry.
Both parties are now calling for higher cuts to emissions.
However, Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, said the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme would start reducing Australia's emissions from next year while at the same time supporting business and industry through our comprehensive assistance measures.
"We are very mindful of the potential impact the Scheme may have on industry, which is why we have already set aside over $9 billion to assist a range of businesses and industries under the Scheme out to 2012.
"Through the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, the government is supporting the jobs of today while building the low pollution economy of the future."
The guidance paper outlines the assessment process and provides guidance to industry on the requirements for this assessment.
This is the next step in implementing the decisions made in the government's White Paper.
The assessment process will inform the Government's decision on which activities in the economy are eligible to receive EITE assistance, the rates of assistance that will apply to eligible activities and the basis for allocations to these eligible activities.
The government says it will make final decisions taking into consideration the policy framework outlined in the White Paper and the information provided in the assessment process.
"The assessment timeframe outlined in the paper will ensure that certainty is provided to as many eligible EITE activities as possible by mid-year in draft regulations," Senator Wong said.
"This will give businesses the certainty they need to invest for the long-term, supporting jobs in key industries as we move to a low pollution economy."
Senator Wong encouraged all relevant stakeholders to "engage fully with this process".
The guidance paper is available on the Department of Climate Change website at www.climatechange.gov.au.
Enquiries from business can be directed to the Household and Industry Assistance Branch in the Department via email at EITE@climatechange.gov.au.
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