Watch this extended interview with Origin Energy's Grant King on the effects the carbon price and the Renewable Energy Target. 

Quote: Origin Energy's chief executive Grant King has told Inside Business a low carbon price would 

lead to future investment in coal rather than gas-powered plants.

"If the price was always going to be $6 you'd be building coal-fired power stations," he said.

"A carbon price of more like $40 is necessary to really swing the economics from building 

coal to gas.

"Insofar ...

Matthew Wright and Trevor Jack argue that  'a lower carbon price may bring short-term political gain, but credibility on global warming would go up in smoke'.   

Some quotes: An argument for transitioning to the ETS earlier than currently legislated is that it would be cheaper. True, in the short term, given that the carbon tax would be around $25 and the ETS cost would be about quarter of this. But this is cheaper in the same sense that buying a five-litre can of fuel is cheaper than buying a...

The Senate has agreed to give the Commonwealth Environment Minister broader approval powers over coal seam gas projects and large coal mines.

The 'Water Trigger' amendment to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act allows the Federal Environment Minister to consider the impact of CSG projects and large coal mines on water resources, in deciding whether or not to they should be approved.

It passed the Senate with the support of all parties, despite unsuccessful Opposition an...