OPPOSITION leader Tony Abbott has conceded the introduction of the carbon tax has not been "absolutely catastrophic" but warned Australians they will be $5000 worse off by 2050 unless it is abolished.

Under fire over claims he has over-egged the impact of the carbon tax, Mr Abbott yesterday conceded the world had not ended on July 1.

"Yes, the initial impact of the carbon tax may not be absolutely catastrophic," he told the Tasmanian Liberal Party State Conference.

"But I ask you Tasmanians to understand the logic - if there is any - in a 5.5 per cent increase in your power prices because of the carbon tax, even though some 85 per cent of your electricity is hydro-generated."

Mr Abbott has previously suggested the carbon tax would act "as a wrecking ball across the economy", that it would "wipe out jobs big-time" and referred to suggestions Whyalla may be "wiped off the map".

A Galaxy poll published yesterday in Queensland showed more than half of respondents had found the carbon tax had little impact on their household bills.

Originally published as Abbott backflips on carbon tax claim