Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s plans for an early double dissolution election have been sunk… The Clerk of the Senate, Harry Evans, is understood to have confirmed that even if Mr Rudd were to go to a double dissolution election to get his ETS through Parliament, the scheme could still be blocked by the Senate. Read more here.
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About Me
Jennifer Marohasy BSc PhD has worked in industry and government. She is currently researching a novel technique for long-range weather forecasting funded by the B. Macfie Family Foundation.
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So THAT’S why Hawk’s Australia Card sunk. This takes the AGW debate for Australia to a whole new level.
First, on the legislation presented, Rudd’s threat of a double dissolution as an incentive to pass, is sunk.
1 The opposition and independants can hang out for any changes they want. Even if it is passed this week, it still has to go before the Senate, which can vote it down. And the Senate will, especially if the polls show any chance that an early election will give Rudd complete control of the Senate.
3 The Jelly-backs in the Libs can now safely slow down or oppose the introduction of an ETS scheme.
4 At worst, the Bill will have to be re-drafted. At best, it will go the way of the Australia Card.