Greens rule out support for Rudd ETS plan

The Greens say they won't support a plan by the Rudd government to bring forward an emissions trading scheme in favour of the carbon tax.

The Greens will not support Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's plan to bring forward the ETS by one year.

Mr Rudd announced on Tuesday that Australia will dump the carbon tax and move to a market-based emissions trading scheme (ETS) from July 1, 2014 - one year earlier than planned.

Speaking in Sydney on Wednesday, Greens leader Christine Milne said her party would oppose the changes in the Senate.

"If Labor were to recall parliament in order to give a $4 billion windfall to big polluters at the expense of the Australian people and the environment, then we most certainly won't be supporting it," she said.

The government requires either coalition or Greens support to pass the legislation, but Senator Milne says that won't happen.

"We won't be moving to the ETS in 2014," she said.

The Greens have criticised cuts to environmental programs made to cover a budget black hole caused by the proposed early switch to the ETS.

Senator Milne has invited the prime minister to debate climate change policy at the Press Club in Canberra.


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Source: AAP


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