Australian Carbon Scheme Defeated in Parliament

A plan to create an ambitious emissions trading scheme was defeated in Australia’s parliament on Thursday by a vote of 42-30. 

Conservative Senators joined with independents and Greens in a party-line vote to defeat the legislation that would set an emission reduction target between 5-25% below 2000 levels by 2020. 

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd wants the legislation passed before the Copenhagen Climate Change conference in December. Greens have promised their five votes (seven more are needed), if Rudd’s Labor party toughens its emissions targets and adds more support for renewable energy. 

Under the proposed scheme, about 1,000 of Australia’s biggest polluting companies would have had to purchase carbon permits, covering 75% of national emissions.

If Rudd chooses to send the bill up for vote again, as is, and it is rejected again, it will trigger a clause in Australian law allowing for early elections. Strong popular support for climate change action would likely favor Rudd’s Labor Party in such a vote–but the timeline would make it tough to pass the legislation before Copenhagen. 

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