Fifteen of Australia's leading energy companies have sent letters to all major political parties to call for the urgent introduction of a carbon price.
In an open letter - the Clean Energy Council, which includes companies such as AGL and BP Solar - has urged politicians to act quickly.
The move comes as nine environment organisations,including Greenpeace, launched an ad campaign yesterday that sparked controversy as much for its message as for actor cate Blanchett's involvement.
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An excerpt from the letter, reproduced in a CEC statement, says Australians want action on climate change and a clean energy future while business wants certainty to invest in more clean energy projects and jobs.
Blanchett was criticised yesterday for her involvement in the advert with critics saying the multi-millionaire won't feel the increased cost of living from a carbon tax.
The government wants to introduce carbon pricing laws to parliament by September, with the aim of having them passed by year's end, and a fixed price to start from July 1, 2012.
