Australian opposition looks to new leadership

Updated November 30, 2009 13:59:59

The Australian government's plan to have an emissions trading scheme enshrined in law in time for the U-N climate change summit in Copenhagen next week is in tatters but it's the country's opposition Liberal and National parties that are responsible, as they tear themselves apart over the issue.

It could hand the Rudd government a mechanism for an early Federal election, though at the moment the ruling Labor party seems content to watch its opponents disintegrate. The Liberal leader, Malcolm Turnbull, has faced a revolt from some sections of his coalition on the issue. His leadership is now so damaged that a party meeting tomorrow is likely to see him thrown out .. and with him, the government's careful plan to steer its climate change legislation into law.

Presenter: Sen Lam
Speaker: Linda Mottram, Radio Australia Canberra Correspondent