National Seniors Australia chief executive Michael O'Neill said while the government promised pensioner and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders they would recieve a Clean Energy Supplement, projected to be above the cost of living, approximately 285,000 Australians aged more than 65 would miss out.

"National Seniors is concerned that a single self-funded retiree on an income of $50,000 or a couple on $80,000 a year will not receive cost-of-living assistance," he said.

"Retirees on fixed incomes have very little capacity to adjust to unforeseen price increases - many are already struggling with basic living costs."

Business groups have expressed their concern the tax would have a major impact on the local economy.

Business SA chief executive Peter Vaughan said the carbon tax would make local businesses, already struggling to cope with low confidence and rising costs, less competitive.

"There are many small and medium-sized businesses that are not being compensated and they will feel the full brunt of this tax.

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