“The downgrading of Copenhagen’s Climate Change Conference from a 200 page treaty to a non-binding fifteen page political statement ends the argument that the CPRS should be passed beforehand,” said The Nationals’ Senator Ron Boswell today. “In that environment, what use will Rudd be standing there waving around a dozen CPRS Acts and hundreds of draft regulations?” “Copenhagen ultra-lite is dangerous for Australian jobs and industry because there is no certainty as to what our trading competitors will do. That makes it even more unwise to pass such a detailed ETS beforehand.” “Rudd’s ETS and the Treasury modelling are totally dependent on other countries having their own ETS and accepting a carbon price. If the rest of the world is not ready for that step then Australia will be foolhardy in the extreme to venture out alone with a carbon price.” “Our trade competitors will not have this extra cost on what they produce so they will steal our markets overseas and even at home.” “We are a trading nation and have been from the very beginning. We cannot afford a new tax when our competitors do not have an ETS.” “The Danish Prime Minister Mr Rasmussen has said leaders should produce a mere five to eight page text including pledges of immediate financing for poor countries.” “Given the brevity and shallowness of such a statement, why should the Australian Senate be rushed into considering an amended multi-bill package (with key regulations still outstanding) that we won’t even see before next Tuesday yet which we are expected to vote on next Thursday?” “And why should we vote on the CPRS when a major part of Copenhagen is climate aid for poor countries yet we have seen absolutely no details on Australia’s commitment?” ENDS