PM's strategy risks a backlash

WHILE Penny Wong and Ian Macfarlane have been in a cone of silence on climate change as they engage in "good faith" emissions trading negotiations, the climate sceptics and opponents of an ETS have been trumpeting their arguments with a megaphone.

Broadcaster Alan Jones has even been pushing the views of Britain's Lord Monckton, who believes the proposed Copenhagen climate change treaty could pave the way for one world government.

Kevin Rudd's no-holds-barred speech yesterday was aimed at quashing the resurgence of the sceptics' arguments and regaining control of the debate -- setting out why an ETS makes economic, environmental and scientific sense.

It was also designed to leave space for any ETS deal with Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull to be debated rationally, and to re-insert reality into discussions about the international talks in Copenhagen next month.

But his shrill tone and personal attacks on Coalition opponents of an ETS risk backfiring, angering the Nationals and the anti-ETS Liberals and making it harder, not easier, for Mr Turnbull's political strategy to prevail in the Coalition partyroom.

Meanwhile, the ETS talks have continued despite the government's confirmation in its mid-year economic forecasts on Monday that there is no money within the revenue raised by the scheme to pay for the opposition's proposed amendments.

That's because Mr Macfarlane and Senator Wong had a frank talk on Wednesday about whether there was any point continuing and whether critical amendments could still be accommodated, and reached the conclusion that they could. The talks continued yesterday and will resume again next week.

Senior Coalition members were concerned the Prime Minister's overreach would make it harder to sell any deal to their own side.

And they were suspicious he was at least partly motivated by a desire to change the subject from asylum-seekers.