A comment made on behalf of the Wentworth Group of concerned scientists claimed that farmers would receive more money for soil carbon sequestration under the Government's proposed CPRS, based on the projected price of soil carbon credits under the Oppostion's scheme. The argument seems to be that the price of carbon is likely to be higher under the CPRS, thereby generating more revenue for farmers. 

However, the Government's own advice on the Opposition's scheme (released by Minister Wong) downplayed the potential of soil carbon sequestration, even IF it was recognised under the CPRS. The key issue, of course, being that soil carbon sequestration is NOT recognised under the CPRS, because the Government has declared that only Kyoto compliant sequestration will be recognised. 

A further point in the confusion that seems to have been overlooked is that, the higher the price of carbon, the higher the increase in input costs farmers will face due to increases in electricity and fuel costs. Whether soil carbon sequestration revenue will be sufficient to offset those cost increases (even if soil sequestration is recognised) is the big question!