Bernie Fraser welcomes deal between Greg Hunt and Clive Palmer

BERNIE Fraser has welcomed the deal between Greg Hunt and Clive Palmer as perhaps the beginning of a political consensus on climate change.

CLIMATE Change Authority chairman Bernie Fraser has welcomed the deal between Environment Minister Greg Hunt and Clive Palmer as perhaps the beginning of a political consensus on the issue.

Mr Fraser, whose authority had been slated for abolition under the Coalition’s climate change plans, appears set to last until at least beyond the next election under the deal struck yesterday. Under that deal, the CCA will conduct a three-stage, 18-month inquiry into an emissions trading scheme.

It is likely to examine climate change initiatives in other countries and whether they are moving to an ETS.

“From the point of view of the authority, these are pretty encouraging developments,’’ Mr Fraser said. “We’ve been given some pretty important tasks to do and will set about those in the way that we are required to.’’

The CCA is scheduled under its legislation to deliver reports on the renewable energy target and the Carbon Farming Initiative — which is at the heart of the government’s Direct Action plan — by the end of the year.

Mr Fraser said the CCA would seek to provide independent advice: “That means taking a national view about things, not a sectional view.’’

He said the CCA would weigh up implications for different members of the community, take a long-term view and provide balanced advice.

“I’d like to think what you’ve heard today is the beginnings of an emerging broader political consensus on climate change and the need to take effective action,’’ he said.

“Because that is what this country needs more than anything else, the development of a broad political consensus.’’

Mr Fraser, a former Reserve Bank governor, appealed for “appropriate reasonable resourcing’’ in terms of funding and personnel to do its work.

The CCA is likely to be a thorn in the government’s side, however.

In its February report on reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, it backed buying international permits to deepen Australia’s targets. This move has been explicitly ruled out by the government.

It also called for Australia to adopt a 15 per cent emissions reduction target by 2020, which rises to 19 per cent when the carry-over from Australia’s Kyoto commitment is factored in.

The government to date has approved only a 5 per cent target.

Mr Palmer said the CCA inquiry would be “unifying’’ for Australia.