Prime Minister Kevin Rudd yesterday reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to emissions trading, rejecting a prediction by Opposition Leader Tony Abbott that he was preparing to “quietly slither away” from the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.

Speaking on Channel 10’s Meet The Press, Rudd said it was “very significant” that the Coalition had said “they themselves will be reviewing the need for an emissions trading scheme,” as part of their proposed 2015 policy review.

He said the Government’s position on emissions trading is “absolutely clear cut,” adding that “it is most effective, environmentally least-cost system available to dealing with the challenge of climate change.”