We will get ETS agreement, says Turnbull

The chance of a green light for emissions trading seems to have lifted, with
Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull confident he can seal the deal.
Both the opposition and the government say they're ready to negotiate in good faith
about the scheme.
The opposition is putting the finishing touches to its draft, business-friendly
amendments to the emissions trading scheme (ETS), which are expected to be approved
at a party room meeting on Sunday.
Mr Turnbull said negotiations with the government would then take place.
"I assume that we will get agreement," he told Radio 2GB on Thursday.
"Well I assume they won't reject everything ... I assume they won't accept
everything so we'll have something in the middle."
Mr Turnbull said if the government rejected all their amendments, then the
opposition would fight against the scheme.
The stakes are high.
The ETS is to go before parliament for the second time in November. If the Senate
knocks it back, the government can seek an early, double dissolution election.
Even if Mr Turnbull thinks he can seal a climate deal with the government, he may
fail to convince his party to back him. The Liberals are split over emissions
trading.
The party is ready to approve the amendments and let Mr Turnbull start negotiations,
but some MPs staunchly oppose any deal being done this year.
The issue is central to Mr Turnbull's battle to stay on as opposition leader. He has
told his party to back his climate stance or find a new leader.
"There is no question that one of the great lies in the world is it's easy being
green," he said on 2GB on Thursday.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd vowed to work with the opposition on the ETS.
"We will negotiate in good faith, but we want to see your amendments," he told 5AA
radio.
"The amendments have to be climate change credible, they have to be financially
responsible."
Mr Rudd revealed he has been calling "around the world" late into the night, pushing
for a good outcome from UN climate talks in Copenhagen in December. The talks are
supposed to agree on a new world pact to tackle climate change.
When it comes to the ETS, the opposition's amendments will offer more compensation
to industry and business.
Mr Turnbull said the amendments would offer more compensation to power generators,
and give more support to the coal mining industry while ensuring it lowered
emissions.
Coal mining companies would have to use their waste gases to generate clean
electricity under the opposition's plan.
The amendments would also promote soil carbon - storing carbon emissions in the soil
in solid form.
Meanwhile, Climate Change Minister Penny Wong has wrapped up a visit to China with
an agreement between the two countries to work together on global warming.
Senator Wong on Thursday met China's National Development and Reform Commission Vice
Chairman Xie Zhenhua, to talk about progress towards Copenhagen.
The two senior government figures agreed to a program of joint workshops and
seminars to promote dialogue.
Senator Wong said the two countries had discussed how to assist the push to
stabilise global greenhouse gas emissions at 450 parts per million.
"Our discussions with the Chinese government have been very positive," Senator Wong
said in a statement.