Turnbull rejects govt deadline on ETS amendments
By Belinda TaskerWed Sep 23 06:24:48 EST 2009
Tue Sep 22 20:24:48 UTC 2009
LONDON, Sept 22 AAP - Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull has rejected a government deadline to unveil the coalition's proposed changes to the emissions trading scheme, saying he is prepared to risk an early election.
Climate Change Minister Penny Wong has written to Mr Turnbull telling him he has until parliament resumes on October 19 to outline the coalition's amendments.
If the deadline is missed, the coalition could miss out on the chance to seriously consider any proposed changes before the legislation is once again put before parliament in November.
But Mr Turnbull has branded Senator Wong's letter "a stunt" and said the coalition would not bow to pressure to meet her deadline.
"We're not going to fall into line with any timetables proposed by Penny Wong," Mr Turnbull told reporters after delivering a speech to a conservative think-tank in London on Tuesday (GMT).
"This is just a stunt.
"We negotiated with her quite effectively over the renewable energy targets.
"If she's prepared to negotiate with us over the emissions trading scheme it may be that we reach agreement, it may be that we won't."
Senator Wong sent Mr Turnbull the letter while in New York with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for the United Nations climate change conference.
The conference is seen as a chance to restart stalled negotiations toward a global climate pact before world leaders are due to sign off on a deal in Copenhagen in December.
The government plans to reintroduce its ETS legislation to parliament in November.
It has already been rejected once by the Senate, meaning if it is knocked back a second time by the upper house Mr Rudd can call a double dissolution election.
Mr Turnbull reiterated his calls for the government to hold off reintroducing its ETS legislation, which has already been rejected by the Senate, until after the Copenhagen talks.
He said the coalition would stick to its plan to finalise its amendments in line with principles it outlined in July, present them to the shadow cabinet and the party room when parliament resumes in October before holding talks with the government.
"We are ready for any election at any time," he said.
"But the real issue is whether Mr Rudd wants to get his emission trading scheme right or whether he wants to put thousands of Australian jobs at risk by rushing it or whether he's going to do the right thing which would be to make the decision when you are fully informed.
"Penny Wong and Kevin Rudd have got to decide whether they want to get their flawed emissions trading scheme right or whether they just want to play politics."
Mr Turnbull is in London on a private visit and is due to meet Conservative Party Leader David Cameron on Wednesday.
Mr Cameron in January promised voters an "environmental revolution" if the Tory's win the next general election due in 2010.
Mr Turnbull said the Tory party were "greener" than the incumbent Labour government in Britain, adding he would welcome any advice the Conservative leader has on environmental issues.
