Govt talks down early election over ETS

The federal government has hosed down talk that it wants an early election based on
climate change.
And voters have made it clear they certainly don't want one.
Media reports have cited anonymous Labor sources claiming the party is gearing up
for an early, double dissolution election.
The government's proposed emissions trading scheme (ETS) has already been knocked
back once by the Senate. It will be put before parliament again in November.
If the opposition kills off the scheme again, the government can seek an early
election.
If the government goes full-term, the election is expected late next year.
But Climate Change Minister Penny Wong talked down the chance of an early election.
"You know, we want the legislation passed," she told reporters in New York, where
she is attending a UN climate change summit.
"That's what we're focused on - not on early elections."
Treasurer Wayne Swan was cagey on what the government would do if the scheme was
knocked back in November.
"Well, I will cross that bridge when we come to it," Mr Swan said.
He stressed that the ETS should be passed as soon as possible to provide certainty
for businesses, who want to know what to invest in.
Mr Swan slammed the Liberals as "dinosaurs" on climate change.
The Liberals are sticking to their guns on the issue, saying they will seek to amend
the ETS laws in November with a view to possibly passing them.
The Liberals' amendments have not yet been finalised.
Acting opposition leader Julie Bishop said Labor had more to worry about from an
early election than the coalition.
"We do not fear an early election," Ms Bishop said.
A Newspoll published in the Australian newspaper on Tuesday found most people do not
want an early election based on climate change.
Less than one-in-five of those surveyed thought that would be a good idea.
Most thought the laws should be modified and passed instead.
Opposition climate change spokesman Greg Hunt says the survey shows the Australian
people are onto Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
"This is somebody who wants a trigger, an excuse for an early election, because he's
afraid of the (May) budget, having blown the budget."
In New York, more than 100 leaders descended on the city ahead of a Group of 20
developed and developing nations meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for talks
aimed at finding areas of agreement before the main UN summit in mid-December in
Copenhagen, Denmark.
It is not clear what the ramifications for Australia will be of a compromise plan
being put forward by Senator Wong to solve a global impasse on climate change.
Australia has promised to cut emissions by five per cent if there isn't a signed
global pact on climate, and by 25 per cent if a strong deal is agreed to.
Under Senator Wong's new deal, which goes easier on poor countries, it appears that
the 25 per cent target would be ruled out.
The government says for the 25 per cent target to get up, major developing economies
would have to set out plans to reduce their emissions, and nominate a year in which
emissions would peak.
But Senator Wong's proposal says developing countries would just have to commit to
stand-along promises about things like renewable energy or protecting forests.
The government could change the conditions attached to its 25 per cent target.