Carbon trading scheme in 2010, says Penny Wong

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THE Federal Government remains intent on introducing a carbon pollution reduction scheme next year despite scrapping an inquiry into emissions trading, Climate Change Minister Penny Wong says.

Speaking at a business lunch in Sydney, Senator Wong outlined the Government’s plans to introduce a carbon pollution reduction scheme in 2010.

She also urged Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull to support the scheme, despite comments yesterday from Opposition emissions trading spokesman Andrew Robb on the benefits of a different scheme.

“Just this week, we have seen the Opposition’s spokesman on emissions trading talking up the merits of a carbon tax over emissions trading,” she said.

“That is to say that senior members of the Coalition are considering a new tax that cannot guarantee reductions in Australia’s carbon pollution as an alternative to supporting the Government’s carbon pollution reduction scheme that will reduce Australia’s emissions from next year.”

The Federal Government scrapped its own inquiry into emissions trading late yesterday. Opposition climate change spokesman Greg Hunt said the inquiry was scrapped because Cabinet “was dangerously split”.

Senator Wong said it was the Coalition that was unsure of its position.

“Perhaps Mr Hunt could tell us why Mr Robb, who is the person assisting Malcolm Turnbull on emissions trading, came out yesterday and argued for carbon tax,” she said.

“We in the Government are very clear about our policy.”

Senator Wong reiterated her intention to reduce Australia’s emissions by five to 15 per cent. Anything above that was not an option.

“Can I say in terms of targets that if you set a target, you have to make a plan to meet it,” she said.

“We have a plan and that is the carbon pollution reduction scheme to enable Australia over time to reduce its emissions.

“You don’t achieve targets simply by setting them.”