As the world moves to a lower carbon future, now is the right time for Australia to decide how we secure a clean energy future. This is an important policy debate that should not be distracted by extreme views. People should have their say but their contribution should be judged by its quality not its volume.

I believe Australia must reject the extremes of this debate, no matter from where on the political spectrum they emerge. We see those who don't believe in the science arguing the government shouldn't act. They are vocal and they have some powerful friends who share their view. I don't agree. I'll be taking my science from the CSIRO, not the radio shock jocks.

We'll also see those who accept the science but whose environmentally extreme solutions would endanger our economy and the jobs of working people. We should reject that approach, too.

We know that the majority of people want action on climate change and want a sensible, rational approach to change. They should make their voice heard and not allow themselves to be drowned out by smaller groups with a loud voice.

While both extremes will continue to scaremonger, economists are very clear about how we can move to a cleaner environment with the least impact on the economy - and that's by putting a price on carbon. It's a simple idea in principle: if you make polluters pay when they pollute then they'll reduce their emissions. It is the language business understands: that of profit and expenses. When lower emissions technologies become comparatively more economically viable, investment in those technologies will increase.