Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan has hit back at the outgoing Future Fund chairman for his stinging attack on the government carbon price policy, saying David Murray doesn't even believe in the science of climate change.
Mr Murray, who steps down as head of the Future Fund next week, says the 23 dollar carbon tax will raise costs in Australia and reduce the export competitiveness of energy-related commodities.
He's called it the worst piece of economic reform that he has ever seen in his life in this country.
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But Mr Swan's rejected Mr Murray's comments, saying it's a fundamental economic reform and Mr Murray is a well known opponent of the science of climate change.
The Treasurer says big reforms are never easy and there will also be vested interests opposing them.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has used Mr Murray's comment to repeat his attack the carbon tax, warning the government against targeting industries like the mining sector as it tries to bring in a budget surplus.
