All for saving the environment, but at what cost?

''We're a small part of the globe and until everyone gets in line we shouldn't be sacrificing the economy and lots of families' jobs,'' said Mr Wallace, a financial planner.

Ms Naismith, a nurse at the Austin Hospital, agrees: ''I don't think the big powers are going to follow our lead. I do understand the goal but it will have an impact on the economy here and pensioners and others will be disadvantaged in the long term.

Greens tout 'world-leading' deal set to shake up global talks

Independent senator Nick Xenophon described the tax as ''an incredibly wasteful money-go-round''.

''The scheme announced by the Prime Minister today is incredibly inefficient,'' Senator Xenophon said. ''What is the point of driving up prices and then giving people compensation to cover the increases?''

Mountain of fun as snow deepens

The snow depth at Perisher, Thredbo and Charlotte Pass reached 158.9 centimetres yesterday, the highest level at this time of year since 1990.