Australia's Senate has voted down Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's flagship policy on climate change for a second time. Two opposition senators crossed the floor but it was not enough to secure passage of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to reduce greenhouse gases.
The rejection of the legislation raises the possibility of a snap election.
Mr Rudd had hoped to have the bill passed by next week's Copenhagen summit on climate change. He had secured opposition backing from Mr Turnbull, but his party revolted and replaced him with climate skeptic Tony Abbott on Tuesday. The Liberals went on to oppose the bill and it was voted down by 41 votes to 33.
Analysts say Mr Rudd may use the Senate's rejection of the bill as a legal trigger for an election - after which the bill could be passed at a special joint session of parliament.
The ETS is part of a package aimed at reducing Australia's carbon emissions by up to 25% below 2000 levels by 2020.
BBC
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