Julia Gillard has defended her plans for a new climate change "citizens' assembly" amid claims it is nothing but a "community gobfest" designed to pave the way for the introduction of a carbon tax.
Ms Gillard has been roundly attacked by both sides of politics and by environmental groups after unveiling Labor's climate change plan in front of rowdy protesters in Brisbane today.
Her speech was also disrupted by protesters, one of whom was led away by police after he came within metres of Ms Gillard while she was talking.
Ms Gillard had announced that a Labor Government would form a "citizens' assembly" of up to 200 people who would seek community views about putting a price on carbon.
She also committed Labor to putting higher environmental standards on new power stations and pledged $1 billion to help connect the electricity grid to cleaner energy sources.
The Opposition, Greens and environmental groups have attacked ...