Australian government strengthens position ahead of climate bill vote

The chances of Australia introducing an emission-trading scheme look to have increased significantly, after a new poll revealed the Labour government would almost certainly win if continued attempts by the opposition to block the legislation force it to hold a snap election.

The government is expected to hold a second vote on its proposed climate bill later this month, after the proposals were defeated in a a Senate vote this summer.

If they are blocked for a second time, the Labour government will be entitled to call a snap election a year ahead of schedule to force through the legislation.

Under the proposed climate bill, 1,000 of the country's most carbon-intensive firms would from 2011 be forced to enter into an emissions cap-and-trade scheme similar to that pioneered in Europe.

According to a poll undertaken for an Australian newspaper, Labour has opened up a record gap on the opposition Liberal Party and would win an extra 20 seats if the polls prove accurate, giving the government a 28-seat majority that will allow it to pass the climate bill.

The issue has left the opposition Liberal Party in disarray, with leader Malcolm Turnbull threatening to quit last week if members of the party continue to block the climate bill and fail to fall into line with his plan to negotiate with the government on the cap-and-trade scheme.