Climate change ultimatum

Kevin Rudd and Penny Wong have issued an October 20 ultimatum to the Opposition, requiring that the Opposition finalise its proposed amendments to the governments legislation by that date. Mr Rudd remarked that "[t]his is not just a piece of political slap and tickle you know, this is a serious piece of legislation." Of course it is serious, it is a serious dud. It will lead to higher costs of energy and consumption for the Australian people without delivering much (if any) effect on net carbon dioxide emissions. Furthermore, if the legislation does not go through, Rudd has stated that it would be in the national interests to hold a double dissolution election.

What? Since when did it become the in the "national interest" of Australia to impose greater taxes on its people and increase the cost of living for the sake of passing legislation that will have little, if any, effect on reducing greenhouse gas emissions? China, the largest greenhouse gas emitter, has stated that "we will endeavour to cut carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by a notable margin by 2020 from the 2005 level". Notice that China will "endeavour" as opposed to "commit". Kevin Rudd wants to be seen as a global leader of climate change at the expense of Australians and our well-being. This may also explain why Penny Wong's "ETS letter" was somehow leaked to the media before it reached Mr Turnbull and the Opposition. Very bona fide indeed.

Pardon the sarcasm, what I meant to say was that Senator Wong actually wrote to Mr Turnbull to state that the Government would negotiate in 'good faith' on the ETS legislation, if and only if, the Coalition had finalised their position by October 20. But the Opposition already had a plan in place (prior to this letter) to get amendments before the partyroom on October 19 and Mr Turnbull also gave an undertaking to Penny Wong to negotiate amendments in good faith. Of course this isn't "political slap and tickle", it is a political stunt to make the Labor party seem active in pursuit of a climate change policy.

Why should the people of Australia tolerate this insincerity conducted by our Government? Mr Turnbull in response stated:

"Her letter is really just a bit of bluster because she seems to be proposing that we adopt the process that we have already said publicly we are going to adopt ... this is a rapidly moving situation with new developments every day about what is likely to happen at Copenhagen, it makes absolutely no sense at all to be forcing a vote on this in November when you could do it in February when you are fully informed ... if they insist on proceeding with a vote in November then we will engage with them."

The Opposition has stated that it would not rush to meet the "threats and ultimatum" set by Penny Wong, and rightly so. The Government wants to rush through legislation to the detriment of the Australian people for the purpose of furthering our Prime Minister's international standing as a climate change leader. Mr Rudd wishes to enter Copenhagen negotiations with the ability to state that Australia has implemented an ETS. This is not about you Mr Rudd, this should be about the Australian people and our well-being.