'Global warming is not real'

KEY Senator decides man-made climate change is a myth, in a blow for the PM's green scheme.

FAMILY First senator Steve Fielding has made up his mind on global warming - there's not enough evidence that it's real. After talks with the government and top scientists, Senator Fielding, whose vote could be crucial in passing the Federal Government's plan to put a price on carbon emissions, has released a document setting out his position. "Global temperature isn't rising," it says. Senator Fielding says he would not risk job losses on "unconvincing green science" to set up a carbon emissions trading scheme (ETS). The ETS has sparked raucous debate today in Parliament, with ministers breaking off from attacking Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull over the infamous utegate email to mock Coalition MPs who reject climate change science. Not happening Senator Fielding's document was prepared with the help of some of the country's most prominent climate-sceptic scientists. It says it is a "fact" that the evidence does not support the notion that greenhouse gas emissions are causing dangerous global warming. The Senate is due to debate emissions trading legislation this week.

The Government is struggling to muster enough votes to pass the legislation ahead of a vote scheduled for tomorrow. Senator Fielding's stance appears to torpedo the chance of the scheme passing as the Government would need his support, as well as that of the Greens and independent Nick Xenophon. The support of the Greens is not assured. The party is concerned that the Government's model for emissions trading lets big polluters off too lightly and has an emissions reduction target which is too weak to do any good. Senator Xenophon has asked for the vote to be delayed until August to allow senators to consider other models. Postponing the vote could technically give the Government a possible trigger for a double dissolution election, because it could be seen as a failure to pass. The independent had previously said the scheme was deeply flawed and failed to address crucial environmental issues. He had said the Government would need to negotiate with him and other senators to get the legislation passed. If all cross-bench senators reject the ETS, the Government would need the support of the Opposition to pass the scheme.

- NEWS.com.au