Blanchett criticised over tax scheme campaign

London: Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett has attracted the wrath of Australians after agreeing to promote a controversial tax scheme in her native country.

The actress appears in an advertising campaign urging Australians to back the government`s planned carbon tax, which would be levied on companies that contribute to pollution, dailystar.co.uk reported. Many fear the tax will be passed on through a series of price rises to families already struggling in the tough economic climate. National Party senate leader Barnaby Joyce, who opposes the tax, has criticised Blanchett for failing to understand the impact it will have on hard-up Australians. "It`s very easy for people who have a good wage to suggest that we engage in a gesture which will have no effect, but the people who really pay the price are the ones who can`t afford the fundamentals of life right now," he said. "I think that Cate Blanchett is a marvellous actor, a beautiful person and a wonderful Australian, but the relationship between that and a person who is, unfortunately, already doing it tough in their life, who`s under the pump already because they can`t afford their power bill... what do they get from the ad," he added. IANS