PM's carbon tax sales pitch wins over forum

Prime Minister Julia Gillard managed to sway a majority of voters at Perth Town Hall behind her carbon tax last night in a suggestion her sales pitch on the flagship reform is beginning to resonate with the public.

A pre-forum poll of participants attending _The West Australian _-Sky News's people's forum showed that just 30 per cent were in favour of the tax, with 33 per cent against and 37 per cent undecided.

But after Ms Gillard's well-rehearsed explanation of the tax and the Government's reasons for pursuing it, followed by 21 questions from the floor, the numbers swung significantly her way.

Fifty-six per cent said they supported the tax, with 26 per cent against and 18 per cent undecided.

About 100 West Australians attended the event, hosted by Sky News political editor David Speers.

Asked whether a fortnight marked by the US debt crisis and fluctuating world markets made it unwise to go ahead with the carbon tax, Ms Gillard said Australia's unique global position offered enough protection to proceed.

"I understand that people would have been very disturbed over the past few weeks," she said.

"But if we look at our economy and where we are positioned in the world, we are in the region of the world that is still going to grow.

"We're in a position of low unemployment, we've got low debt and strong public finances, strong banks and you in Western Australia . . . know we have a huge investment pipeline coming through in the resources sector."

"Hard reforms are the things that keep us prosperous in the long term. This is a hard reform but we are going to get it done."

Ms Gillard was praised by one woman for her courage in introducing the tax, while another asked if it was "retribution" for WA's opposition to the resources tax.

She also fielded questions on topics including aged care, the resources tax, Canberra-WA relations, same sex marriage and medicinal cannabis.

A cluster of people voicing support and opposition to the carbon tax gathered outside the Town Hall.

Andrew Middleton, 25, of We Are Change WA, said climate change debate was vital. "It's foolhardy to say the science is settled," he said.