KEY POINTS:
A new survey of businesses highlights the potential for wide-ranging job losses if the proposed carbon trading emission scheme goes ahead.
Researchers from the Greenhouse Policy Coalition and the Major Electricity Users Group spoke to 41 businesses from a wide range of sectors.
Spokeswoman Catherine Beard says at a carbon price of 30 dollars per tonne, the 41 companies will collectively face an increased cost of $257 million. She says that loss is only in direct energy cost, and the businesses also predict they would cull around 3,000 existing jobs.
Ms Beard says there seems to be a rush get the scheme through Parliament, without looking at the potential consequences for businesses.
-NESWTALK ZB
