Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10CANBERRA88
2010-02-04 07:42:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Canberra
Cable title:
AUSTRALIA: EMISSIONS BILL BECOMES POTENTIAL
how-toVZCZCXRO5863 RR RUEHPT DE RUEHBY #0088/01 0350742 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 040742Z FEB 10 FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2622 INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 9734 RUEHCP/AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN 1174 RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 0011 RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 0231 RUEHBN/AMCONSUL MELBOURNE 6951 RUEHPT/AMCONSUL PERTH 5218 RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY 5230 RHMFISS/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC RHEHAAA/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/HQ EPA OIA WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/HQ EPA ADMINISTRATORS WASHINGTON DC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CANBERRA 000088
SENSITIVE
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/ANP, EEB/ESC/IEC, OES/EGC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/29/2020
TAGS: SENV ECON KGHG PREL AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA: EMISSIONS BILL BECOMES POTENTIAL
LIABILITY
Classified By: Classified by: Political-Economic Counselor Edgard Kagan
, Reasons 1.4 (b)(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CANBERRA 000088
SENSITIVE
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/ANP, EEB/ESC/IEC, OES/EGC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/29/2020
TAGS: SENV ECON KGHG PREL AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA: EMISSIONS BILL BECOMES POTENTIAL
LIABILITY
Classified By: Classified by: Political-Economic Counselor Edgard Kagan
, Reasons 1.4 (b)(d).
1. (C/NF) SUMMARY: Climate Change and Water Minister Penny
Wong expressed her appreciation for U.S. commitment to
addressing climate change, particularly the "extraordinary"
U.S. efforts in Copenhagen in an introductory meeting with
Ambassador Bleich. Wong stressed the importance of developed
countries implementing the Accord. She noted that the GOA
will reintroduce its own emissions trading legislation but
the timing will depend on "circumstances," referring to the
opposition's alternative proposal and shifting voting
patterns in Parliament. In Wong's view, China remains the
critical player and its hard-line stance in Copenhagen may
have been a strategic defeat that will retard progress in
other nations, including Australia. Wong's previously
confident and aggressive approach on the CPRS bill appeared
to have given way to a lukewarm "wait-and-see" approach
during the meeting with Ambassador Bleich. Reflecting a
change in status from political front-burner issue to
potential liability, PM Rudd is likely to take a more careful
approach to the CPRS legislation -- prioritizing
election-year dynamics and pushing the legislation when and
how it proves to be most politically expedient. End Summary.
Grateful for U.S. Support
--------------
2. (C) During her first meeting with Ambassador Bleich on
January 29, Climate Change and Water Minister Penny Wong
expressed her appreciation for U.S. support in Copenhagen,
saying that "the fact we got anywhere is due to strong U.S.
efforts during the negotiations." She further congratulated
the U.S. on formally inscribing itself to the
Accord. Wong said Copenhagen succeeded in setting conditions
to operationalize the Accord in the future, but warned that
progress going forward will depend on how seriously these
conditions are met. She expressed satisfaction with the
provisions for international consultations in the Accord,
describing them as necessary to verify outcomes. On China's
standing after Copenhagen, Wong agreed with Ambassador Bleich
that while the Chinese are perceived to have won this round
from a tactical perspective, it is not the case from a
strategic point of view. China lost face in some larger
respect by appearing to obstruct progress. Still, she felt
that it will be up to "our respective leaderships" to
overcome Chinese resistance and realize the long-term success
of the Accord.
Domestic Cap and Trade Legislation
--------------
3. (C/NF) Wong said the GOA would reintroduce its Carbon
Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS),though the timing will
depend on the circumstances. In addition to the fact that
the GOA must now deal with this legislation in the
aftermath of a less-than stellar Copenhagen outcome, it must
also promote the CPRS within the context of an
election year. Failure to pass the legislation, in and of
itself, could be used by the Rudd government to trigger an
Qitself, could be used by the Rudd government to trigger an
election.
U.S. Role
--------------
4. (SBU) Wong said the best thing the U.S. can do now for the
Climate Change cause is to pass its own domestic
legislation, currently in the U.S. Senate. Additionally,
U.S. leaders visiting Australia can help promote the cause
by expressing their strong support for climate change
measures and Australian leadership.
5. (C/NF) Comment: Copenhagen failed to meet the
CANBERRA 00000088 002 OF 002
expectations of most Australians, given the prominent role
the GOA, including the Minister Wong and Prime Minister Rudd,
played in it. Minister Wong's characteristically
confident and usually aggressive approach on the CPRS bill
was muted. Reflecting a change in
status from political front-burner issue to potential
liability, PM Rudd is likely to take a more careful
approach to the CPRS legislation -- prioritizing
election-year dynamics (including calibrating reaction to the
opposition's proposal) and pushing the legislation when and
how it proves to be most politically expedient.
BLEICH
SENSITIVE
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/ANP, EEB/ESC/IEC, OES/EGC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/29/2020
TAGS: SENV ECON KGHG PREL AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA: EMISSIONS BILL BECOMES POTENTIAL
LIABILITY
Classified By: Classified by: Political-Economic Counselor Edgard Kagan
, Reasons 1.4 (b)(d).
1. (C/NF) SUMMARY: Climate Change and Water Minister Penny
Wong expressed her appreciation for U.S. commitment to
addressing climate change, particularly the "extraordinary"
U.S. efforts in Copenhagen in an introductory meeting with
Ambassador Bleich. Wong stressed the importance of developed
countries implementing the Accord. She noted that the GOA
will reintroduce its own emissions trading legislation but
the timing will depend on "circumstances," referring to the
opposition's alternative proposal and shifting voting
patterns in Parliament. In Wong's view, China remains the
critical player and its hard-line stance in Copenhagen may
have been a strategic defeat that will retard progress in
other nations, including Australia. Wong's previously
confident and aggressive approach on the CPRS bill appeared
to have given way to a lukewarm "wait-and-see" approach
during the meeting with Ambassador Bleich. Reflecting a
change in status from political front-burner issue to
potential liability, PM Rudd is likely to take a more careful
approach to the CPRS legislation -- prioritizing
election-year dynamics and pushing the legislation when and
how it proves to be most politically expedient. End Summary.
Grateful for U.S. Support
--------------
2. (C) During her first meeting with Ambassador Bleich on
January 29, Climate Change and Water Minister Penny Wong
expressed her appreciation for U.S. support in Copenhagen,
saying that "the fact we got anywhere is due to strong U.S.
efforts during the negotiations." She further congratulated
the U.S. on formally inscribing itself to the
Accord. Wong said Copenhagen succeeded in setting conditions
to operationalize the Accord in the future, but warned that
progress going forward will depend on how seriously these
conditions are met. She expressed satisfaction with the
provisions for international consultations in the Accord,
describing them as necessary to verify outcomes. On China's
standing after Copenhagen, Wong agreed with Ambassador Bleich
that while the Chinese are perceived to have won this round
from a tactical perspective, it is not the case from a
strategic point of view. China lost face in some larger
respect by appearing to obstruct progress. Still, she felt
that it will be up to "our respective leaderships" to
overcome Chinese resistance and realize the long-term success
of the Accord.
Domestic Cap and Trade Legislation
--------------
3. (C/NF) Wong said the GOA would reintroduce its Carbon
Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS),though the timing will
depend on the circumstances. In addition to the fact that
the GOA must now deal with this legislation in the
aftermath of a less-than stellar Copenhagen outcome, it must
also promote the CPRS within the context of an
election year. Failure to pass the legislation, in and of
itself, could be used by the Rudd government to trigger an
Qitself, could be used by the Rudd government to trigger an
election.
U.S. Role
--------------
4. (SBU) Wong said the best thing the U.S. can do now for the
Climate Change cause is to pass its own domestic
legislation, currently in the U.S. Senate. Additionally,
U.S. leaders visiting Australia can help promote the cause
by expressing their strong support for climate change
measures and Australian leadership.
5. (C/NF) Comment: Copenhagen failed to meet the
CANBERRA 00000088 002 OF 002
expectations of most Australians, given the prominent role
the GOA, including the Minister Wong and Prime Minister Rudd,
played in it. Minister Wong's characteristically
confident and usually aggressive approach on the CPRS bill
was muted. Reflecting a change in
status from political front-burner issue to potential
liability, PM Rudd is likely to take a more careful
approach to the CPRS legislation -- prioritizing
election-year dynamics (including calibrating reaction to the
opposition's proposal) and pushing the legislation when and
how it proves to be most politically expedient.
BLEICH