Australia May End Up With No Climate Policy, UN to Release Comprehensive Climate Change Report
With the sacking of Tim Flannery and the removal of the Climate Change Commission, Australia might end up having no climate change policy. The new Australian Senate will more likely breeze through the repeal of Australia Labour's carbon tax. However, the Senate remains skeptical about the Coalition government's plan to push the Direct Action plan worth $3.2 billion as an alternative.
The Greens and Labour continued to pledge that they will stand in the way of the Coalition's carbon tax repeal in the current Senate which will remain in its seat until July 2014. After the end of the Senate's term, the Coalition will be more likely to get the required 6 minor party votes that will be crucial in holding the balance of power in the Senate.
Despite the possibility of clinching the necessary six votes to push Direct Action, a plan to offer competitive government grants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it will still prove to be challenging.
David Leyonhjelm from the Liberal Democratic party, who is poised to win seat in the Senate, said he did not believe in the science of global warming. However, if the studies would be confirmed, he said Australia's government spending will not make any difference.
He also said he will be voting for the repeal of carbon tax but against Direct Action. According to Mr Leyonhjelm, unless the government will offer a significant concession that will have a big impact to the company, he will vote against the Coalition's plan.
The Coalition government will be more than likely secure 33 seats in the new Senate. It will still need 6 out of 8 crossbench votes to get the needed 39 votes to pass the Direct Action legislation.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott's first piece of legislation was to repeal the carbon tax once the Coalition takes over the government leadership. Mr Abbott said if the Senate blocked the carbon tax repeal, he promised to call a double dissolution election.
As the Australia's climate change policy remains uncertain, the United Nations is planning to release a summary of the latest findings on Sept. 27. Every 5 to 6 years, the UN releases a comprehensive report prepared by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
The UN comprehensive report will combine the latest research of the world's top scientists and experts on climate change.
