Keep carbon pricing alive, says Combet
Former Labor climate minister Greg Combet says carbon pricing is an issue that should not and will not go away.
Mr Combet has been appointed by the Labor Party to advise on a new climate policy to take to the next federal election.
The coalition says the opposition's decision to seek advice from Mr Combet, who designed the previous government's carbon pricing scheme, is a sign that Labor will take a carbon tax to the next election.
At the launch in Canberra of a new book by his former chief of staff Allan Behm, Mr Combet said the complex policy had been defeated by a "superficial" argument.
"It was actually a very complex piece of public policy-making and a very intricate economic reform and a hugely important environmental reform," Mr Combet said.
"And it will not go away despite the repeal of large parts of legislation.
"Those policy measures are important for Australia's future and its role in the world and in various forms they will re-emerge and be prosecuted through this parliament."
Labor leader Bill Shorten told reporters in Canberra on Thursday there would be no return to a carbon tax.
"We will not have a carbon tax, but we will be the only fair dinkum major political party in Australia on climate change," he said.
Mr Combet told AAP he had also advised Labor on the design of the superannuation policy launched earlier this year.
Mr Behm's new book - No, Minister - examines his role as Mr Combet's chief of staff and the politics and policy-making behind the carbon pricing scheme.
