Professor Garnaut's report has highlighted what Australia needs to do in order to seriously tackle climate change. Now it is critical we act on it," he said.
Mr Maher welcomed the draft report's suggestion that an emissions trading scheme should include most industries.
"If industries are exempted the burden is increased on everyone else." he said.
He also welcomed Professor Garnaut's suggestion that 50% of the schemes revenue should be given to the low paid.
"The report has outlined an approach that gives priority to the low paid and that's the first time we've heard that.
"Low paid workers will be the hardest hit and that's where most compensation should be directed - not towards big businesses crying poor.
Mr Maher also dismissed calls that energy sector workers will lose their jobs if power companies are not compensated under an emissions trading scheme.
"The fact is that those power companies will lose share value - that's the cost of doing business and not doing it in a very smart way," he said.
"They won't be able to turn off those power stations, and it's immoral that they run the scare campaigns suggesting otherwise."
