The Rudd Government has misjudged the depth of feeling about climate change in the Australian community and will pay an electoral price for dealing with climate sceptics, the Australian Greens said today.

"The Australian community has never let its leaders down, but Australia's leaders sadly frequently let down the community. Yesterday was one of those occasions," said Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne.

"Our offices are once again seeing an outstanding degree of interest from the community asking what they can do to register their protest at the Government's refusal to act responsibly on climate change and help us get action.

"Australians know that Rudd and Wong's CPRS changes would see polluters paid more, the community pay more and the climate lose out in the bargain.

"The community is wondering what to make of the fact that the Government is trying to do a deal on climate change with a party they have consistently labelled climate sceptics."

Yesterday's backflip will see $2.2 billion more to polluters over five years and essentially no action to reduce emission before July 2012.

"Kevin Rudd and Penny Wong have tried to pull the wool over the eyes of all those mums and dads who are troubled by the fact that their efforts to reduce their footprint will simply make it cheaper for big polluters to keep polluting," Senator Milne said.
"Under yesterday's announcement, mums and dads who dig deep to reduce their climate impact will have to reach into their pockets again to have their emissions reductions counted. That is an insult to their efforts."

The Government's claim holding out 25% cuts as a distant goal will help global negotiations is dishonest. Minister Wong conceded yesterday that the world would not agree to Australia's offer and the 25% should not be taken seriously.

"Australia once again has a Government that is asking the world to carry the can while we do as little as we think we can get away with.

"The global community won't accept that again, after Australia got an easy deal in Kyoto. Australia will be expected to play its fair role in the next round of negotiations.

"The Australian community won't stand for it. They want to hold their heads high and say we are pulling our weight."