That the Government describes it as "the biggest structural economic reform since the opening up of Australia's economy" suggests it knows the complexity of the task at hand.

But if the Government has decided that the climate change threat is real - and it appears it has - then it is right that Australia should be a leader.

Our per capita emissions are some 41/2 times the global average and, on a per capita basis, we are among the worst polluters. The challenge is to ensure a balance between green improvements and industry competitiveness while the rest of the world catches up.

The warnings today from BlueScope Steel and Wollongong City Council should not be ignored.

By all accounts, the Government has been impressive in the way it has lent an ear to carbon-intense companies so far.

But given the Illawarra is a region with high unemployment and a reliance on these industries, the Government should know that it will need to provide us with more help than most. As a region we are prepared to play an equal part in securing the environment for our grandchildren, but only if we are given the support to ensure our economic future is also bright.