Date: 13-Feb-09
Country: AUSTRALIA
Author: James Grubel
CANBERRA - The Australian government has convened a parliamentary inquiry into its plan for curbing greenhouse gas emissions, but denied on Friday it was backing away from the scheme which is due to launch next year. The government said in a brief statement on Thursday it had asked the lower house's economics committee to make inquiries and report back to parliament on its proposed emissions-trading scheme, part of a climate-change policy unveiled last December.
The move prompted Greens Party Senator Christine Milne to question whether the government was looking to delay its own scheme, which has come under fire from local industry for imposing additional costs at a time of global economic downturn.
She also raised concerns the government might want to stall its own scheme until after nations meet in Copenhagen in December to negotiate the next step in UN efforts to cut emissions.
"Is it preparing to junk the carbon-pollution reduction scheme or is it delaying until after Copenhagen to give it cover on the global stage?" Milne said in a statement.
But a spokeswoman for Climate Change Minister Penny Wong said on Friday the government remained committed to its policies.
"It is normal procedure to refer major economic developments and policies to the committee," the spokeswoman said.
"The government is completely committed to the ... policy it has announced and to delivering that policy on the timetable it has announced."
(Editing by Mark Bendeich)
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