Debate resumed from 29 October, on motion by Mr Combet:

That this bill be now read a second time.

upon which Mr Turnbull moved by way of amendment:

That all words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words: “the House:

(1)

believes that the Government’s proposed emissions trading scheme is flawed and in its current form will cost Australian jobs and investment, and simply export rather than reduce global greenhouse gas emissions;

(2)

supports the Coalition in again calling on the Government to defer consideration of this legislation, which will impose the single largest structural change to the Australian economy, until after the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit has concluded in less than 50 days time;

(3)

notes that as the Government remains determined to keep an utterly artificial and self-imposed deadline of this Parliamentary year and as such before the world meets to address the important issue of global action, the Coalition has proposed changes to the Government’s ETS to ensure the following critical matters are addressed:

(a)

that emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries remain on a level playing field with competitors in other advanced economies;

(b)

that agriculture is excluded from the scheme, rather than included after 2015, and farmers have access to agricultural offset credits;

(c)

that the impact of higher electricity prices on small businesses be moderated;

(d)

that the coal industry is required to reduce fugitive emissions as technically feasible, but not be unfairly financially penalised;

(e)

that transitional assistance to coal-fired electricity generators is sufficient to ensure that electricity supply security is maintained and the generators remain viable; and

(f)

that complementary measures such as voluntary action and energy efficiency are encouraged”.

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