http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/carbon-cate/story-fn59niix-1226...CATE Blanchett has called for greater leadership on climate change after Tony Abbott seized on her appearance in a pro-carbon tax advertisement to accuse the government of listening to film stars over ordinary Australians.
Ms Blanchett brushed aside Mr Abbott's critique today, saying her support for a carbon price was conditional upon a comprehensive support package being provided to lower income earners.
"My personal support of a price on carbon to make the polluters, not the punters, pay is very much based on a comprehensive package of support for lower income earners to make the transition to a low carbon economy possible and not hurt them in their hip pocket," she told Sky News.
"I think when you put your name to anything when you stand up for something that is of national importance as the price on pollution is, then you have to expect people on the other side of the debate to say negative things and they're absolutely entitled to their opinion," she said.
Ms Blanchett's appearance in a pro-carbon tax advertisement was yesterday exploited by Opposition leader Tony Abbott, who accused the government of giving preferential treatment to the views of movie stars over average Australians.
"This is a Prime Minister who is happy to listen to actors. But she won't listen to voters. She wants to say yes to celebrities. But she won't say yes to the people of Australia by having an election on this topic," he told the parliament.
"You do not give special weight to celebrities You do not give special weight to people who live half the year in Hollywood where there is no carbon tax."
But Ms Blanchett rejected claims the advertisement she appeared in was a partisan political statement, saying it was targeted at all political parties.
"It's approaching both sides of the house. It's not aimed at or supported by any political party whatsoever," she said.
Ms Blanchett, who was not paid for featuring in the commercial, warned that if Australia did not act on climate change the nation would miss out on the opportunity to drive greater innovation in renewable technologies.
And she called for greater leadership on the subject, suggesting Australians had been despondent since the Copenhagen summit at the end of 2009 failed to secure a binding agreement.
"The issue needs leadership and I think the breakdown of these talks at a high level makes us as Australian citizens feel despondent."
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