Rudd hails "good news" on climate in US
28 Jun 2009 4:16 PM
CANBERRA, June 28 AAP - Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has seized on US progress on climate change to call for action domestically.
The US House of Representatives has passed legislation to limit greenhouse pollution by adopting an emissions trading scheme.
Australia has a similar scheme in the works, but a Senate vote has been delayed until August amid speculation it will get voted down.
Mr Rudd praised the progress in the US.
"That is good news for the world," he told reporters outside his church in Canberra on Sunday.
"And can I just say to those who are delaying action in the Australian parliament, look at what is happening in the United States.
"And rather than voting not to vote, which is what the Liberals have done here, let's get on with the business of acting and getting things done."
The Liberals say they will not pass an ETS this year because it is better to wait for the US to finalise its position, and for UN climate talks in December.
The government wanted a Senate vote on the ETS last week, but the opposition successfully pushed for a delay.
The vote will now take place on August 13.
