(EnergyAsia, October 14 2011, Friday) — Australia’s House of Representatives has narrowly approved the government’s clean energy legislative package including the controversial carbon tax to put a price on carbon emissions from next July.

Against strong opposition from the powerful coal and mining lobby, the government of Prime Minister Julia Gillard secured the passage for her Clean Energy Bill 2011 with 74 votes against 72 on Wednesday.

Her conservative opponents argued that the 19 Bills, which comprise the clean energy legislation and the Steel Transformation Plan Bill, will not stop global warming, cut jobs, increase the cost of living and reduce Australia’s business competitiveness.

As a result of the landmark legislation, Australia will put a price on carbon pollution from July 1 2012. The money raised will be used to promote investment in renewable and clean energy technologies and support action to reduce pollution.

In a statement following the successful vote, the government said: “The package allows Australia to take advantage of the economic and job opportunities that will come as the world tackles climate change and shifts to a clean energy future.

“The legislation represents important environment and economic reforms for Australia. The reforms will ensure that Australia plays its responsible part in global efforts to tackle climate change, and also ensures that Australia reduces its carbon pollution in the most economically efficient manner and includes extensive measures to support jobs and competitiveness.”

The vote represented a major political and personal victory for Ms Gillard whose hold on power has been shaky since she seized power by helping toppled former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd from power in 2009.

Ironically, Mr Rudd’s downfall was partly blamed on his poor handling of the proposed carbon tax issue which had raged for years.

As one of the top 20 polluting countries in the world, Australia should act sooner rather than later to ensure that the transition to a clean energy future can be more gradual, manageable and affordable, said the government.

The bills implement the key elements of Canberra’s Securing a Clean Energy Future plan announced on July 10 2011.

The legislation will now be introduced to the Senate, and is expected to be passed through the upper house by the end of the year.

But the fight may yet be far from settled. Opposition leader Tony Abbott has promised to repeal the tax if elected to government at the next national elections, due probably by late 2013.