Nelson U-turn on emissions

BRENDAN Nelson has been dragged back into line with his senior colleagues over emissions trading policy, after a damaging week of Opposition division. Dr Nelson dropped his rejection of a unilateral start to an Australian emissions trading scheme, following a phone hook-up with frustrated colleagues yesterday morning to discuss what was threatening to blow into a party crisis. Earlier, Dr Nelson had appeared set to rework the Opposition's policy with an article in yesterday's Australian, which said there were "multiple models out there" that should be debated. "The Australian people ought to know precisely what is the economic price of compliance with an ETS before any commitments are made," he said. The hook-up included Dr Nelson, his deputy, Julie Bishop, Malcolm Turnbull, Nationals leader Warren Truss, environment... [read full story]