nzherald.co.nz 

by Audrey Young 29 April 2010

Pressure mounts for a rethink after Australia puts scheme off till 2013

The Government said yesterday it would probably ditch the rest of the emissions trading scheme as scheduled beyond 2013 if its major trading partners did not have schemes as well.

The scheme, already passed into law, is supposed to be a comprehensive "all sectors, all gases" scheme with a phased-in entry for different sectors.

But the confirmation by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Tuesday that he would shelve his proposed scheme until at least 2013 has forced the New Zealand Government to hedge its commitment to a full scheme.

Prime Minister,
>
> I am at a loss why you are so paranoid on leading the world with this
> insidious tax on the people that have elected you in this LITTLE country.
>
> This tax  will be a millstone around the necks of this and every
> generation that follows and there by a gross infringement of our private
> property rights and freedom .
>
> The National Party is putting its honesty sincerity and integrity on the
> line with this approach to the economy and its membership.

Federated Farmers Media Release  27 April 2010

Richard Treadgold- Climate Conversation Group

April 26 2010

It is significant that there are so many voices raised against the ETS.

"The madness of the Government’s new carbon tax is that New Zealanders will be the only people in the world paying it.  It will drive up the costs of living and undermine the competitiveness of New Zealand business for negligible environmental gain.” Nick Smith - Friday, 25 November 2005  http://www.nick4nelson.co.nz/nelson-marlborough-farming-december-column.html

Spiegel Online International

Merkel Abandons Aim of Binding Climate Agreement

By Dirk Kurbjuweit, Christian Schwägerl and Gerald Traufetter

Frustrated by the climate change conference in December, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is quietly moving away from her goal of a binding agreement on limiting climate change to 2 degrees Celsius. She has also sent out signals at the EU level that she no longer supports the idea of Europe going it alone.

"I have three children," German Environment Minister Norbert Röttgen said during a speech in Berlin last week, as he ventured to explain why climate policy still remains important after December's failed summit in Copenhagen. He said that a maximum rise in temperature of 2 degrees Celsius "is the highest amount that we can still tolerate, because beyond that life will no longer be possible as we know it."

NZHerald  by Fran O'Sullivan 28 April 2010

John Key's refusal to postpone the implementation of the next phase of the emissions trading scheme (ETS) is setting the scene for a 'winter of discontent' with New Zealand business.

In just two days the perception of the Key Government as a climate change laggard has morphed into an unwitting climate change leader as our major trading partners, like Australia and the United States, prepare to defer their own schemes leaving this country out in front of the pack instead of the "fast follower" the PM promised.

Kevin Rudd and Barack Obama are facing domestic political considerations.

Australia goes to the polls this year and Rudd doesn't want Tony Abbott to make headway with the Liberal-National Coalition's 'great big new tax' scare campaign.