NZ Emissions Trading: NZ Farmers Eye Aust ETS Ructions Over Agriculture
October 28th, 2009
The Rudd Govt is about to launch a second attempt to push its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS), an emissions trading scheme-equivalent, through both Houses of Parliament. But as is the case in NZ, the farming lobby is playing hardball, creating a rift within Opposition parties over their approach to a grand coalition sought by Canberra on the scheme. While the head of the National Farmers Federation, David Crombie, said in recent days proposed amendments make the CPRS workable for Aust farmers, long-time National Party senior Ron Boswell remains adamantly opposed.
Senator Boswell says “we think it’s a dog and no matter how many amendments you put around it, will still be a dog.” Canberra still hopes it can get the CPRS in place by the time of the Copenhagen global climate change summit which starts on December 7, with the introduction of new legislation to the Lower House this week, followed by consideration next month by the Senate, which is due to sit in the last week of November.
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Opposition coalition parties met last weekend on proposed amendments, with Govt negotiations to follow in an attempt to get cross-Parliamentary support for a revised scheme. While the Nationals remain opposed in principle to any ETS, it appears compromises were reached with the larger coalition party, the Liberals, led by Malcolm Turnbull. NZ’s Federated Farmers says there’s a risk Aust farmers win an exclusion, giving them an edge in export markets.
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