http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2013/kevin-rudds-ets-...

Kevin Rudd's pledge to ''terminate'' the carbon tax appears to be an unrealistic election promise, with the Greens party determined to block the legislation.

Greens leader Christine Milne said her party would not support the Prime Minister's plan to dump the carbon tax and accelerate the move to an emissions trading scheme  in 2014, a year earlier than planned.

Senator Milne took particular objection to Mr Rudd's plans to partly fund his promise – which costs the budget $3.8 billion – by slashing government programs including environmental and clean energy schemes.

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"The Greens would not support a move to give a $4 billion windfall to make it cheaper for the polluters to pollute and to lose those great programs," Senator Milne said on Wednesday.

Senator Milne's statement is a blow to Mr Rudd's election campaign. The Prime Minister's announcement on Tuesday that the carbon tax would be "terminated" was designed to blunt Tony Abbott's anti-tax attacks.

But Mr Rudd cannot honour his promise to dump the carbon tax without the support of the Greens Party.

''Prime Minister Rudd is out there trying to pretend that he can deliver this,'' Senator Milne said.

''He is a Prime Minister of a minority government ... [Rudd] has to stop pretending that former Prime Minister Gillard didn't achieve an emissions trading scheme.''

Senator Milne's announcement means both Labor and the Coalition are approaching this election with climate change policies that are unlikely to pass the Parliament.

Since polls have tightened following Mr Rudd's reinstatement, the Coalition is unlikely to have the numbers to repeal the carbon tax and shepherd their Direct Action climate policy through both houses of Parliament.

Earlier on Wednesday, Labor had been hinting it may recall Parliament before the election to consider its plan to accelerate the move to an emissions trading scheme.

Climate Change Minister Mark Butler says legislation will be drafted before the election.

''In the event that Parliament were to resume before the election, I could take draft legislation to the Parliament,'' Mr Butler told ABC TV on Wednesday.

If either house rejected the legislation, Labor would take it to the election and seek a mandate from the people, he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is confident Parliament will support the government's plan.

''Of course, we would get it through,'' he told Sky News.

''For [Mr Abbott] to stand in the way of a $380 improvement in living standards for the average family would be an extraordinary position.''

Both Mr Albanese and cabinet colleague Penny Wong fired shots at the Greens, who hold the balance of power in the Senate.

Mr Albanese dared ''this mob'' to reject legislation, while Senator Wong recalled a decision by the Greens to vote down Labor's plan for an emissions trading scheme in 2009.

''The Greens have got to start being held responsible for their destructive impact on climate policy over these last years,'' Senator Wong said.

While the government describes the package of changes to fund the ETS pledge as ''sensible [and] moderate'', the move has been criticised by the opposition and automotive industry.

Meanwhile, the Coalition has claimed changes to fringe benefits tax - announced by the government to help offset the cost of moving to an ETS early - will lead to a ''complete meltdown'' in Australian car making.

Speaking on Wednesday, shadow treasurer Joe Hockey said car orders were already being stopped because of ''massive uncertainty'' caused by the changes.

''This is going to be a complete meltdown in Australian manufacturing as a result of the announcement,'' Mr Hockey told Macquarie Radio.

Treasurer Chris Bowen said the government hadn't abolished an FBT concession for motor vehicles.

''If you are using your motor vehicle for business use, you deserve the reduction, you'll get the reduction, you'll keep the reduction,'' he told reporters in Sydney.

Mr Bowen said that people who claim business usage will need to justify their claim, either by filling in a log book or using a mobile phone app to track their percentage of business use over three months every five years.

''If you are going to return to surplus, if you are going to have responsible measures in place, that means sometimes making tough decisions,'' he said.

Parliament adjourned on June 28 and is scheduled to return on August 20, pending a decision about an election date.

John Smith wrote on Jul 17^th, 2013 at 7:31pm:


I know it hurts your head but think about it

Rudd's promise is based on his assumption he might win government and still need the Greens for preferences

In that case - Milne is correct in saying she'll block it

Under your assumption of the Greens blocking the Abbott's move - you seem to think Abbott needs the Greens vote

Given that Rudd have now moved to an ETS this means the ALP is free to vote with the LIBs to scrap the carbon tax after the election

John Smith wrote on Jul 17^th, 2013 at 7:55pm:


What are you basing your opinion on?

The current polls?

The same polls where the ALP relied to the Greens preference

Suck it up princess

rabbitoh07 wrote on Jul 17^th, 2013 at 7:59pm:


Where did I say this?

Karnal wrote on Jul 17^th, 2013 at 8:56pm:


So now it's gone from a claim that I've said something

To "lie by inference"

And somehow the inference of the stop the boat relates to the mechanism of an ETS 

Maqqa wrote on Jul 17^th, 2013 at 7:58pm:


What do mean what am I basing my opinion on? Logic ... you should try it sometime.

Karnal wrote on Jul 17^th, 2013 at 9:25pm:


Karnal, I don't know if you can call liberal party employees "rusted on". Maqqa is only doing his job.

STOP THE BOATS!!!!!!!