Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard Monday intensified her campaign for a carbon tax as 140 prominent citizens joined calls backing her divisive proposal.
Australians are among the world's worst per capita carbon polluters but plans for the tax aimed at cutting gases blamed for global warming have seen the government's popularity plummet to record lows due to fears over higher household bills.
Gillard, who heads a fragile Labor coalition with the help of a Greens MP and several independents, has reportedly ordered her cabinet to "blitz" the public and sell the plan ahead of a carbon price announcement within weeks.
"Overwhelmingly Australians accept that climate change is real, and people do want to act," she told reporters in Sydney.
"Now I understand that people are a bit uncertain, they want to know what is the best way forward to deal with climate change.
"Well, as prime minister I will keep explaining to the Australian nation the best way forward for all of us is to put a price on carbon pollution."
The prime minister also defended Hollywood A-lister Cate Blanchett's decision to speak out on the issue as part of a union and greens group-funded television advert which urges Australians to "Say Yes" to a tax on carbon.
"Now Cate Blanchett has had her voice heard on climate change, that's appropriate," Gillard said.
"Just as it's appropriate for Australians right across this country, going about their daily lives today, to have their voices heard on climate change."
The wealthy Blanchett came under fire from some media on Sunday, which claimed she was out of touch with ordinary Australians who may struggle to cope with the higher electricity bills that could result from a carbon tax.
Other prominent Australians, including former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Fraser and fellow high-profile party member John Hewson, joined the debate Monday by signing a letter urging carbon reform.
The letter, endorsed by 140 Australians including Nobel-prize winning scientist Peter Doherty and writer Tim Winton, argues climate change is already impacting the country.
"We say 'Yes' to a price on pollution and renewable energy investment, 'Yes' to jobs and 'Yes' to protecting our ecosystems, health and environment before it's too late," it states.
The government has proposed a carbon tax be levied on major industrial polluters by July 1, 2012 with plans for a full emissions trading scheme in three to five years.
'SAY YES' TO POLL: ABBOTT
Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says a fresh election is needed to let voters say yes or no to carbon pricing.
Mr Abbott told reporters at a Canberra manufacturing plant on Monday that Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who promised at the 2010 election never to introduce a carbon tax, needed a new mandate.
"If she expects people to say `yes' to this tax she should give the people of Australia a chance to say `yes' or `no' to this toxic tax at an election," Mr Abbott said.
Mr Abbott said he respected Dr Hewson but "respectfully disagreed" with him on carbon pricing.
While people such as actor Cate Blanchett, who features in the "We Say Yes" ads, were entitled to their view "the view of celebrities counts for no more than the view of the Australian public and that's what the prime minister should be seeking".
The coalition leader said two business groups supporting a $10 per tonne starting price for carbon was a "massive vote of no confidence" in the government's climate change policy.
"The one thing we know about the starting price - whether it's $10, $20 or $26 - it's going to go up and up and up and up."
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