As decision time on how to proceed looms for the Government's emissions trading scheme it seems that the Greens are still causing the Government a headache. Even though the select committee is proposing some 900 changes to the legislation (the fact that a new round of submissions is not being called for such radically different legislation is an insult to those who submitted on the original bill and to democratic principles) the Greens want more changes
Among the changes anticipated are those sought by the Government to delay introducing fuel into the scheme from 2009 to 2011 and a five-year extension to the period before the phase out of free allocations to industry begins.
The changes were opposed by the Green Party, which came close to pulling its support, saying any watering down would have little impact on the environment.
Yesterday, Green co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said she had given Labour a list of further proposed changes.
This morning's Herald analyses the issue further.
These changes just are not going to happen as they would equate to electoral suicide in the current high fuel price regime.
