CANBERRA (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Thursday confirmed only 500 companies would be forced to pay a new carbon tax, due to start in July 2012, down from around 1,000 companies under the Labor government's former plan.
"This figure of 500 strongly reinforces the point this is being paid by a limited number of big businesses," Gillard told Australian television.
However, Gillard refused to comment on reports the carbon tax will start at A$23 a tonne. Details of the carbon tax will be released on Sunday.
