No Bull from Malcolm ?!

Turnbull urges Labor: release climate change report soon

Federal Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull says Labor should release the results of its climate change review before this year's federal election.

Federal Labor has appointed economics professor Ross Garnaut to head a review into the impact of climate change on the Australian economy.

He is due to hand down his final report by the end of next year, but Mr Turnbull thinks Australians should see the results sooner.

"If Mr Rudd wants to have an economic study, you'd think he would present it before the election," he said.

"Our emissions trading task force group, the Government's emissions trading task group, will be reporting at the end of May, in four weeks or thereabouts.

"So our work is going to be available well before the election."

Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd says it should have been the Commonwealth's responsibility.

"For too long Mr Howard has buried his head in the sand, and the time has come for us to act," he said.

The review has been commissioned with the help of the state and territory governments.

Meanwhile, the man appointed head the report says he will not be swayed by the political debate.

Professor Garnaut says is not deterred by the politics over climate change.

"The fact that something has become a matter for political debate I think can't be a reason for professional analysts to vacate the field," he said.

Professor Garnaut says he will also push for the Opposition to set emission targets for 2020.

Labor has set a target of a 60 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050, but it has rejected calls for shorter term goals.

Professor Garnaut says a 2020 target is needed.

"It's clear from the terms of reference that part of the work that I'll have to do will be to define a path for the implementation of policies over the period ahead," he said.