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Gillard warns against COAG 'petty politics'

Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, has warned state and territory leaders it is no time for "petty politics", as they head into key talks in Canberra on proposed federal carbon and mining taxes.

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Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, has warned state and territory leaders it is no time for "petty politics", as they head into key talks in Canberra on proposed federal carbon and mining taxes.

The two issues will be hotly debated when the premiers and chief ministers meet with Ms Gillard at the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting on Friday.

"I will be saying to the premiers now is not the time for the playing of petty politics," Ms Gillard told federal parliament on Thursday.

She said there were "pressure points" in the economy, but major reforms like carbon pricing and the minerals resources rent tax would spread opportunity and shore up growth in the long term.

Victorian premier, Ted Baillieu, will bring to COAG modelling which he says shows his state will lose 23,000 jobs under the carbon tax by 2015.

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"Now is not the time to be proceeding with a measure which is oing to disadvantage Australia and disadvantage Victoria in particular," Mr Baillieu said.

"We are going to stand up for those jobs, and we're going to make sure that we press the case as I'm sure others will do at COAG."

Quizzed in parliament, Ms Gillard said federal Treasury modelling showed state economies would significantly grow over the next decade and beyond under carbon pricing.

NSW Premier , Barry O'Farrell, has also had modelling done presenting a dire situation for his state under the proposed federal legislation, which is expected to pass by the end of the year.

WA premier, Colin Barnett ,will present arguments against both the carbon and mining taxes.

Northern Territory chief minister, Paul Henderson, a Labor member, says he wants more details on federal plans to wind down the diesel fuel rebate under the carbon pricing plan.

"I am not happy about that," he told ABC radio, requesting more modelling on compensation.

"I will be requesting forcibly ... that the commonwealth provide that information so we can assess the compensation in the bush and see if that is adequate."

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh told reporters she would put her state first when it came to carbon pricing.

"I've made it clear Queensland wants to see a better deal out of the carbon package," she said.

"I'm going to keep negotiating until we get one."

She said she also wanted to discuss new arrangements to boost the number of international students, which was now Queensland's third biggest export industry.

The leaders will discuss the proposed national disability insurance scheme, which to date has received a positive response.

Mr Baillieu has said Victoria would be "ready and willing" to host a trial of the scheme if possible.

The meeting will also flesh out more details of the hospitals agreement and national transport regulations, which will see 23 regulatory bodies reduced to three.

South Australia's Mike Rann, who will be attending his final COAG before he steps down on October 20, wants to discuss mental health.


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