The federal government's planned emissions trading scheme is nothing more than a tax, Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson says.
The government is meeting with representatives from the transport sector on Thursday to discuss their concerns about the model it is planning to introduce from 2010.
"The emissions trading scheme is nothing more than a tax," Dr Nelson told reporters.
"It is effectively a tax on the use and certainly the emissions of carbon and, in the end, Australians, all of us, are going to pay for it.
"(It) will increase the price of everything from energy to transport and fuel ... (it) is likely to see industries and jobs go to other parts of the world."
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was trying to rush the scheme, Dr Nelson said.
"This is the most significant economic transformation that we will see in our country.
"There is an enormous amount at stake and Mr Rudd seems to not think things through.
"He (Mr Rudd) doesn't seem to appreciate what's at stake here in terms of pensioners, families, jobs and Australian industries."
