Swan defends Blanchett over carbon tax

29 May 2011, 2:34 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Treasurer Wayne Swan

Treasurer Wayne Swan

Treasurer Wayne Swan says he admires Hollywood actress Cate Blanchett for publicly supporting a carbon tax in a new advertising campaign.

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Treasurer Wayne Swan says he admires Hollywood actress Cate Blanchett for publicly supporting a carbon tax in a new advertising campaign.

Nine organisations, including Greenpeace, WWF and the Climate Change Institute, have launched TV advertisements with Blanchett and fellow Australian actor Michael Caton calling for the public to "say yes" to cutting carbon pollution.

But Blanchett's involvement has drawn criticism from some commentators who say she can afford to support the tax.

The Australian Family Association says unlike others she won't feel the effects of an increased cost of living that a price on carbon is expected to generate.

Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce also took the actor to task.

"I'm so proud of her as an Aussie actor ... but this is an area that's got nothing to do with acting," he told reporters.

"It's got a lot to do with whether people can afford the fundamentals of life."

But Mr Swan has defended her, saying climate change will affect everyone.

"I admire people who speak their views and Cate Blanchett, along with many others, has a strong view that Australia needs to price carbon," he told reporters at the opening of a new park in Ipswich, west of Brisbane, on Sunday.

"It's the responsible thing to do for citizens to speak up."

He said the government had no involvement in the campaign.

"(The organisers) are entitled to spend money they raise in the way they see as enhancing the future of our country," Mr Swan said.

"They have just as much right to do that as mining companies have got to spend their shareholders' money on a campaign to pay less tax."

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