Kevin Rudd’s hopes to pass the bill by Copenhagen are over
Australia’s Senate has rejected a bill on the government’s flagship climate change policy for a second time.

Two opposition senators crossed the floor but it was not enough to secure passage of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to reduce greenhouse gases.

The vote came a day after the opposition Liberal Party ousted leader Malcolm Turnbull, who had promised to back the bill.

Deputy PM Julia Gillard said the bill would be resubmitted next year.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd had hoped to have the legislation passed by next week’s Copenhagen summit on climate change.

He had secured opposition backing from Mr Turnbull, but his party revolted and replaced him with climate sceptic Tony Abbott on Tuesday.

The Liberals went on to oppose the bill and it was voted down by 41 votes to 33 in the Senate.

‘Calmer heads’

Analysts had suggested Mr Rudd could use the rejection of the bill as a legal trigger for a snap election – after which the bill could be passed at a special joint session of parliament.