Govt push to kill climate agencies slowed by Labor

Australia’s opposition Labor Party has disrupted the conservative Liberal-National government’s push to fast track its repeal of the carbon price laws through the upper house Senate.

Labor has bought more time to debate the merit of abolishing two climate change agencies.

AAP Newsagency reports the government’s package of repeal laws faced an early hurdle, with Labor being granted extra time to defend the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) and Climate Change Authority (CCA).

The opposition had demanded the opportunity to speak in support of these two agencies, which are to be disbanded, along with the carbon price under the government’s package of 11 bills.

However, manager of government business Mitch Fifield moved a motion calling for the bills to be considered together, angering opposition senators who claimed the process was being rushed.

AAP reports with the support of the Australian Greens Party and Democratic Labour Party senator John Madigan, Labor defeated the motion and successfully moved an amendment so the CEFC and CCA repeal bills will be debated separately.

Labor and the Australian Greens hold the balance of power in the Senate and are opposed to the repeal legislation.

Labor says it would only agree to the repeal if the current fixed price Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is replaced with a market based system.

Labor’s senate leader Penny Wong said it was vital the upper house debated the merits of the CEFC, given it had delivered carbon abatement at a negative cost.

“What that means is that taxpayers actually make money out of this,” she said, adding it would cost the public purse to scrap the corporation.

Australian Greens leader Senator Christine Milne said it was important the coalition was forced to explain its reasons for scrapping the CEFC and CCA, the latter which provides climate change advice to the government.

Government Senate Leader Eric Abetz said the CEFC used $10 billion in borrowed money to fund risky ventures, and accused Labor of using every trick possible to delay the inevitable.

Liberal Prime Minister Tony Abbott wants the bills put to a Senate vote before Christmas, but Labor and the Australian Greens look set to frustrate that wish.