Fed: Govt won't confirm reports ETS on backburner

AAP General News (Australia)
04-27-2010
Fed: Govt won't confirm reports ETS on backburner

The federal government says it remains committed to its emissions trading scheme ..

despite talk it's been put on the backburner until after the election.

The Sydney Morning Herald says Labor plans to push back the proposed start date ..

from July next year to at least 2013 .. after a decision by cabinet's priorities and budget
committee.

Climate Change Minister PENNY WONG's office says the opposition's blocking of the ETS
legislation will obviously affect its treatment in the May budget .. but the government
still believes its scheme is the best and lowest cost way to reduce carbon pollution.

The Opposition's GREG HUNT has told ABC radio .. KEVIN RUDD's dropping the ETS because
it's an inconvenience .. and the decision will save Labor two and a half billion dollars.

His colleague GEORGE BRANDIS has told Sky News the government still wants to impose
a great big new tax on everything .. but doesn't want it to become an election issue.

AAP RTV gd/rl/jmt

KEYWORD: CLIMATE (CANBERRA)

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