Green groups split over ETS changes

Some green groups say they are "outraged" at plans to delay emissions trading, as a
bitter split emerges within the conservation movement.
The federal government has put forward a new deal on climate change: pushing back
emissions trading by one year, having a softer start, and allowing for a possible 25
per cent cut in emissions.
Some green groups say that's a good deal, others say it's a cop-out.
Tensions are running high and some green groups are not speaking to each other.
Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, local conservation councils and GetUp! have issued
a statement accusing the government of "walking away from serious action on climate
change".
"We are outraged that polluters and big businesses are holding us to ransom," the
statement said.
Before the federal election, Labor promised to start emissions trading in July 2010.
Now that's been delayed until July 2011.
The Australian Conservation Council (ACF) says the new climate deal is a good
starting point and should proceed.
The promise to make possible deeper emissions cuts makes the deal worth it, the ACF
says.
But ACF chief Don Henry reacted to the green hostility on Tuesday by qualifying his
support for the new emissions trading scheme (ETS) deal, saying it had "profound
weaknesses".
"We're not happy with the delay, we're not happy with the weak start to the scheme,"
he told AAP.
Meanwhile, it's far from clear whether the new-look ETS can pass parliament.
Climate Change Minister Penny Wong is putting pressure on the coalition to support it.
She says the scheme should be passed this year so Australia can argue its case at UN
climate talks at Copenhagen in December.
On Tuesday, she offered to discuss the ETS with Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull,
but said he would have to "walk in with a position" on climate change.
She accused the opposition of being "hopelessly divided" over climate change.
The opposition is yet to reveal its climate policy but has been critical of the
new-look ETS.
Opposition emissions trading spokesman Andrew Robb says the scheme is "fundamentally
flawed" and the opposition will vote against it.
"We will not let this thing go through," he said.
Mr Robb said any scheme should give 100 per cent free permits to import-competing
companies until their competitors face a similar tax.
The Greens aren't too positive about the new-look ETS either, with leader Bob Brown
saying he is "not in cave-in mood when the planet's at stake".
Senator Brown warned that if the scheme was rejected by the Senate, and the
government called a double-dissolution election over the issue, then both major
parties would cop a drubbing.
Family First senator Steve Fielding, who holds a crucial cross-bench vote, says he
won't be hurried into a vote before Copenhagen.
Without the support of the coalition or the Greens and two cross-bench senators, the
ETS cannot pass parliament.
The government wants it passed in June this year.