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New head for Australia opposition New head for Australia opposition
(31 minutes later)
Australia's opposition Liberal Party has elected a new leader, amid a searing row over the government's carbon trading laws.Australia's opposition Liberal Party has elected a new leader, amid a searing row over the government's carbon trading laws.
Tony Abbott was chosen to replace Malcolm Turnbull at a Canberra meeting.Tony Abbott was chosen to replace Malcolm Turnbull at a Canberra meeting.
Mr Turnbull had backed Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's emissions trading scheme, but Mr Abbott has vowed to oppose it. Mr Turnbull had backed Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's emissions trading scheme (ETS), but Mr Abbott opposes it.
The government needs the support of the Liberals to pass the legislation in the Senate. The Liberal revolt throws Mr Rudd's plans into turmoil.The government needs the support of the Liberals to pass the legislation in the Senate. The Liberal revolt throws Mr Rudd's plans into turmoil.
Mr Abbott won the final vote against Mr Turnbull by 42 votes to 41. A third challenger, Joe Hockey, was eliminated in first-round voting.
Mr Rudd had wanted the legislation to pass the Senate - where his party does not have a majority - by the start of the Copenhagen climate change summit next week.Mr Rudd had wanted the legislation to pass the Senate - where his party does not have a majority - by the start of the Copenhagen climate change summit next week.
If the Senate fails to pass the scheme - as now looks likely - Mr Rudd could call a snap election, correspondents say.If the Senate fails to pass the scheme - as now looks likely - Mr Rudd could call a snap election, correspondents say.
Per capita emissions Opinion polls suggest he would win such an election and, analysts say, could then pass his climate legislation in a joint sitting of parliament.
The emissions trading scheme (ETS), aimed at reducing Australia's carbon footprint, is the centrepiece of the government's environmental strategy. Climate centrepiece
Mr Abbott won the final vote against Mr Turnbull by 42 votes to 41. A third challenger, Joe Hockey, was eliminated in first-round voting.
Minutes after his victory, Mr Abbott called an informal vote on the ETS, proposing that a delay to the legislation of three months be sought. The vote was passed by 54 votes to 29.
The government's immediate hopes of passing the ETS now rest on the possibility of some opposition lawmakers rebelling and voting with it.
The ETS, aimed at reducing Australia's carbon footprint, is the centrepiece of the government's environmental strategy.
Mr Rudd wants to cut Australia's carbon emissions by up to 25% from 2000 levels by 2020.Mr Rudd wants to cut Australia's carbon emissions by up to 25% from 2000 levels by 2020.
But some opposition politicians question the scientific case for global warming and the energy lobby says the move would damage Australia's economy.But some opposition politicians question the scientific case for global warming and the energy lobby says the move would damage Australia's economy.
Australia has the highest per capita carbon emissions among developed nations and coal is its biggest export.Australia has the highest per capita carbon emissions among developed nations and coal is its biggest export.