Tight deadline for Australian climate change vote

Naomi Woodley, Canberra

Last Updated: Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:12:00 +1100

The Australian Government will give the Opposition just two days to decide whether or not to vote for an amended emissions trading scheme.

The Climate Change Minister Penny Wong says she'll present a formal deal on the proposed amendments to the Opposition on Tuesday morning.

She has told Australian television network Channel Nine that keeps to the timetable established in the negotiations with the Opposition.

"We will ensure that they have the opportunity in their shadow cabinet and their partyroom to discuss this before we announce this offer. We think that's appropriate given the negotiations, and as we have always said if Mr Turnbull and his troops need more time we're prepared to extend the sitting days as well as the sitting hours to give them that time."

But the Senate is due to adjourn for the year on Thursday night, and a bid by the government last week to extend the Senate's sitting hours was rejected by all non-Government senators.

The Manager of Opposition Business Christopher Pyne says the Government is not giving the Coalition enough time to properly consider the amendments.

"To wait until Tuesday morning is really cutting it very fine."

He says it will be the Government's fault if the Senate runs out of time to vote on the 11 bills, which make up the proposed emissions trading system.

"I hope that doesn't happen, I hope we reach a negotiated settlement that is good for jobs and good for the environment but I think Tuesday morning is pretty much pushing out the boat."

But the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says the Government will be doing everything it can to ensure the scheme is voted on and passed this week. He's again linked the recent extreme weather in Australia to climate change.

"We will make sure that the opposition has everything they need in time for the proper consideration of this in the parliament this week."

Penny Wong and the Opposition's emissions trading negotiator Ian Macfarlane are meeting this afternoon, and talks are expected to continue tomorrow.

The Government's deal on amendments will have to be approved by Cabinet and the Labor caucus before it is presented to the Opposition.

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