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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Australia government reaches emissions reduction deal | Australia government reaches emissions reduction deal |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| The Australian government has reached a deal with a key political party and independent senators to push through a carbon emissions plan. | The Australian government has reached a deal with a key political party and independent senators to push through a carbon emissions plan. |
| The Palmer United Party, led by mining tycoon Clive Palmer, and senators Nick Xenophon and John Madigan agreed to the controversial emissions reduction fund. | The Palmer United Party, led by mining tycoon Clive Palmer, and senators Nick Xenophon and John Madigan agreed to the controversial emissions reduction fund. |
| The A$2.5bn (£1.4bn, $2.2bn) fund will be used to pay big polluters to cut emissions and use cleaner energy. | The A$2.5bn (£1.4bn, $2.2bn) fund will be used to pay big polluters to cut emissions and use cleaner energy. |
| Australia has one of the world's highest carbon emissions per capita. | Australia has one of the world's highest carbon emissions per capita. |
| The plan replaces a carbon tax scheme which senators voted to repeal in July. | The plan replaces a carbon tax scheme which senators voted to repeal in July. |
| Prime Minister Tony Abbott's ruling coalition had campaigned partly on repealing the carbon tax and replacing it with its own reduction plan. | Prime Minister Tony Abbott's ruling coalition had campaigned partly on repealing the carbon tax and replacing it with its own reduction plan. |
| Concessions | Concessions |
| In order to push through the plan, the Australian government agreed to some concessions suggested by Mr Palmer and other senators. | In order to push through the plan, the Australian government agreed to some concessions suggested by Mr Palmer and other senators. |
| It will not abolish an independent climate change body as planned. Instead, the body will be directed to review emissions trading schemes (ETS) in other countries. Under an ETS, a fixed number of permits to emit pollutants can be traded between firms. | |
| Mr Palmer's party is pushing for such a scheme to be implemented in Australia only if the country's trading partners have one too. Mr Palmer said on Wednesday that he has "kept alive" that prospect. | Mr Palmer's party is pushing for such a scheme to be implemented in Australia only if the country's trading partners have one too. Mr Palmer said on Wednesday that he has "kept alive" that prospect. |
| The government also agreed to put in place an unspecified "safeguard mechanism" by Mr Xenophon to ensure companies comply with requirements. | The government also agreed to put in place an unspecified "safeguard mechanism" by Mr Xenophon to ensure companies comply with requirements. |
| Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, whose Labor party is against an emissions trading scheme, criticised the deal, saying Mr Abbott had "sold his soul to Clive Palmer, and Australia will pay the price". | Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, whose Labor party is against an emissions trading scheme, criticised the deal, saying Mr Abbott had "sold his soul to Clive Palmer, and Australia will pay the price". |
| Greens leader Christine Milne meanwhile said the emissions reductions fund (ERF) will "pay polluters to pollute" . | Greens leader Christine Milne meanwhile said the emissions reductions fund (ERF) will "pay polluters to pollute" . |
| Australia aims to cut emissions to 5% below their level in 2000 within six years. | Australia aims to cut emissions to 5% below their level in 2000 within six years. |