Leaders compete on carbon trading

The political fight over climate change is set to escalate as Labor and the Federal Government strike competing plans for carbon emissions trading.
Both in Canberra and both campaigning hard, Prime Minister John Howard and Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd are talking climate change at every opportunity.
Mr Howard now acknowledges that long-term targets for cutting pollution are necessary.
"We do not intend to embrace a target which is plucked out of thin air," he said.
"It will, of necessity, involve a long-term target of some kind."
He will receive a major report on carbon emissions trading today that he says is the best local study that has been done on the issue.
Mr Howard has promised a speedy response to the report.
Labor environment spokesman Peter Garrett has told ABC TV's Lateline it is about time, but he says it is too early to name a price for carbon emissions.
"I know that there are some in the business community who say that a price of any less than say $20 a tonne will actually not be effective at all," he said.
"I know there are others, like [Australian of the Year] Professor [Tim] Flannery, who say that it should be as high as $50."
As the leaders battle for the high moral ground, Mr Rudd says he is getting rid of his four-wheel drive and buying a petrol-electric hybrid car.
The Labor leader is putting $100 million into solar and geothermal power.
"Labor wants Australia to return to its role as a global good citizen," he said.
"It demands a response premised entirely on the future but with steps being taken now."
The ALP warns there is precious little time to waste on climate change.
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