Australia to delay carbon scheme

Reuters, Monday May 4 2009

Australia's government will delay introducing a planned carbon emissions trading scheme by a year to mid-2011, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation said on Monday.
The government would also increase the country's interim 2020 emissions reduction target, currently for a cut of between 5 and 15 percent based on 2000 levels, the broadcaster said, citing unnamed industry sources.
The government declined comment.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has been under pressure from industry and opposition politicians to water down or even ditch carbon-trading laws, which they say are too costly in the current tough economic climate.
Details of the Australian government's legislation are available at www.climatechange.gov.au.