TABJ - July 5 - Australia’s heavy industries wait the coming weekend with baited breath, as Australia’s Federal government announces that it will unveil its carbon pricing plans in just a few days’ time.

According to by Julia Gillard, Prime Minister, the government plans have reached their summation after talks with the multi-party climate change committee (MPCCC). They have long been under development—with all manner of parties voicing dismay about lacking direction and details in plans released so far—and just days ago Gillard spoke out to defend the delayed process. Most recently the Australian Green party has proffered changes which, according to latest reports, look likely to mould the tax more in the direction of the original 40 per cent ‘super tax’ concept by the Labour party.

However the final announcement shapes up, it looks likely to hit a couple of sectors particularly hard, not least coal mining which could incur up to A$22 billion in loss of sales and more than 100,000 jobs.