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Labor Divided on CPRS: Fielding

News Clippings Latrobe Valley Express, July 27 2009

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FAMILY First Senator Steve Fielding claims there is growing discontent within the Labor ranks over the Rudd Government’s emissions trading scheme.

Mr Fielding, who holds the crucial vote in the senate, said although the nation’s attention was on disagreements within the Coalition, a number of senators in the Labor Party were uncomfortable with the scheme.
Last week, outspoken Liberal backbencher Wilson Tuckey accused Liberal leader Malcolm Turnbull of being “inexperienced” and “arrogant” following his suggestion the opposition would amend the legislation rather than voting it down.
Mr Fielding said growing discontent was a sign major party politicians were uncomfortable about voting along party lines on such an important piece of legislation.

He urged all senators to personally consider the science behind and effects of the emissions trading scheme before voting.

“The disarray in the coalition further highlights the need for all Senators to look at the evidence carefully when it comes to climate change, that’s why I wrote to every senator asking them to look at the science before they vote,” Mr Fielding said.

“This is the biggest economic decision in Australia’s history and one which should not be blindly voted on along party lines because it’s simply too important.”

The Senate will take a vote on a package of climate change bills on 13 August.