Opposition gives hope to emissions plan

The federal government's troubled emissions trading scheme has been given the kiss
of life - by the opposition.
Progress by the United States on a trading scheme to curb greenhouse gas emissions
seems to have prompted a change of heart by Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull.
Mr Turnbull had said he would not pass an emissions trading scheme this year.
Now he's ready to negotiate when the Senate considers the scheme in August.
"We will be able to present amendments, hopefully the government will accept them,"
Mr Turnbull told Network Ten on Sunday.
"If the government doesn't accept them, then of course we'll have to work out what
happens next."
The Senate is due to vote on the scheme on August 13.
The only way it can pass is with the opposition's support.
Mr Turnbull said key changes should be made to offer more support for coal mining
and a greater capacity to reward the storing of carbon in soil and trees.
After the US House of Representatives passed legislation to adopt an emissions
trading scheme, the Australian government used the breakthrough to call on the
opposition to help it follow suit.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said it was "good news for the world" and proof that there
was no need to delay action on climate change.
"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," he said outside
church in Canberra.
Climate Change Minister Penny Wong said Mr Turnbull realised "time is running out"
on his stalling tactics.
"When Mr Turnbull can unite his party on climate change, we look forward to
receiving his amendments," she said.
Australia's emissions trading scheme is due to start in 2011.
Family First senator Steve Fielding has rejected the planned scheme, so it can only
pass the Senate if the opposition votes for it.
The American model aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 17 per cent from 2005
levels by 2020.
The Australian scheme would cut emissions by between five and 25 per cent of 2000
levels by 2020.
The Minerals Council of Australia says the passage of the American emissions trading
scheme highlights the need for changes to Australia's version.
The council's chief executive Mitchell Hooke said the US scheme would auction a
lesser share of the total carbon permits, so firms have to pay for fewer of them. A
larger share would be allocated or free.
Australia's scheme would auction up to 75 per cent of its permits from the start,
imposing an undue cost on business, Mr Hooke said.
The government should phase in more slowly the process of making business pay for
carbon permits, he said.