THE Opposition will push the Government to defer its emissions trading legislation until the Copenhagen climate conference has been held.
But it will vote the scheme down if a delay is rejected.
The shadow cabinet agreed last night to recommend to today's Coalition parties' meeting a bipartisan approach on the targets Australia takes to the conference. But it wants to refuse to let the legislation through next month. All the indications are that the legislation will not be delayed, and so would be defeated.
The Greens said yesterday that they were determined to sink the legislation, which they regard as giving too much assistance to big polluters and setting weak emissions reduction targets.
The Nationals said they would never vote for it.
Nationals leader Warren Truss described the Government's scheme as a "job-destroying rabid dog" that should be put down."We won't be supporting the legislation," Mr Truss said.
The strong opposition from the Nationals and many in his own party has cornered Coalition leader Malcolm Turnbull, who helped draw up plans when in government for an ETS. He has been disinclined to defeat legislation that might pave the way for an eventual double dissolution.
Legislation now going through the US Congress has reinforced the Opposition's determination to hold out. It may also influence the wider debate. This legislation gives US trade-exposed industries and coal-fired electricity generators better protection than that proposed in the Australian scheme. The US scheme is likely to be seen as an international benchmark. Canada has put its scheme on the backburner until it is clear what the US is doing.
The Greens will introduce a motion to give the Government a "negotiating mandate" at international climate change talks in Copenhagen in December, to argue for a strong international deal. Independent senator Nick Xenophon said last night he would back the mandate motion.
The Opposition flagged last week that it would give bipartisan support to targets for Copenhagen. The range proposed by the Government is 5 to 25 per cent of 2000 levels by 2020.
The Government and Greens want a Senate vote on the ETS legislation next month. Senator Xenophon has said he is not inclined to support a delay although he is listening to the arguments. The Opposition would need the support of both Family First senator Steve Fielding and Senator Xenophon to get backing for a deferral.
Senator Barnaby Joyce said he would support any Opposition move to delay the vote because it would be "irrelevant — the delay vote will fail. There is no point having a split before the fair dinkum vote on the ETS", which could come minutes later.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said yesterday the Government would force a vote on the legislation next month.
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