Institute Of Public Affairs' Repeal The Carbon Tax Campaign Named Finalist For Prestigious Templeton Freedom Award
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Melbourne, Australia-based Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) was named one of six finalists for this year's prestigious $100,000 Templeton Freedom Award for its campaign to repeal the carbon tax.
Nearly a decade ago in Australia, the idea of a carbon trading scheme or tax began gaining popularity. It was finally passed in 2011, taking effect the following year. During that entire period and until its repeal, IPA served as a consistent and leading voice of caution, educating lawmakers and the public about its shortcomings as environmental policy. The repeal, which ultimately succeeded in 2014, ended this poorly conceived and costly law that had barely reduced emissions and could not have possibly made an impact on global temperatures.
"Free societies protect the environment best," said James Paterson, IPA's deputy executive director. "Australia's carbon tax would have made next to no difference to the world's temperature. Australia was imposing a significant economic cost on itself for no environmental benefit — something few other nations appeared willing to do."
As the only major organization in Australia to publicly and consistently oppose the tax, the IPA's work against the carbon tax was instrumental in fostering sentiment against the tax, which, in addition to its economic drawbacks, wouldn't have achieved any environmental goals.
Its successful 2014 carbon tax repeal campaign integrated traditional and digital media strategies, produced consistent and robust content, and demonstrated that the tax was not only costly, confusing, and ineffective, but that it actually prevented innovation in the energy industry.
What: Institute of Public Affairs' Repeal the Carbon Tax campaign named one of six finalists for Atlas Network's prestigious $100,000 Templeton Freedom Award
When: Nov. 12, 2015, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Liberty Forum & Freedom Dinner closing ceremony – Capitale, 130 Bowery, New York, NY 10013 (Bowery and Grand St.)
Press Contact: [email protected] or (202) 449-8441
Awarded since 2004, the Templeton Freedom Award is named for the late investor and philanthropist Sir John Templeton. The award annually honors his legacy by identifying and recognizing the most exceptional and innovative contributions to the understanding of free enterprise, and the public policies that encourage prosperity, innovation, and human fulfillment via free competition. The award is generously supported by Templeton Religion Trust and will be presented during Atlas Network's Liberty Forum & Freedom Dinner gala dinner ceremony Nov. 12, 2015 in New York City. The winning organization will receive a $100,000 prize and the runners-up will receive $5,000.
The 2015 Templeton Freedom Award finalists are:
Acton Institute (Grand Rapids, Mich., United States) — Poverty, Inc.
Center for Dissemination of Economic Knowledge for Freedom (CEDICE Freedom) (Caracas, Venezuela) — Watchdog for Freedom and Democracy Project
Free Market Foundation (FMF) (Johannesburg, South Africa) — Khaya Lam Land Reform Project
Institute for Justice (IJ) (Arlington, Va., United States) — Strategic Research Program
Institute of Public Affairs (Melbourne, Australia) — Repeal the Carbon Tax Campaign
Tax Foundation (Washington, District of Columbia, United States) — State Business Tax Climate Index
About Institute of Public Affairs
The Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) is an independent, non-profit public policy think tank, dedicated to preserving and strengthening the foundations of economic and political freedom. Since 1943, the IPA has been at the forefront of the political and policy debate, defining the contemporary political landscape. The IPA supports the free market of ideas, the free flow of capital, a limited and efficient government, evidence-based public policy, the rule of law, and representative democracy. Throughout human history, these ideas have proven themselves to be the most dynamic, liberating and exciting. Our researchers apply these ideas to the public policy questions which matter today.
ipa.org.au
About Atlas Network
Washington-based Atlas Network is a nonprofit organization that strengthens the worldwide freedom movement by connecting 470 independent partners in 96 countries that share the vision of a free, prosperous, and peaceful world where limited governments defend the rule of law, private property, and free markets.
AtlasNetwork.org
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SOURCE Atlas Network
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