The Government is delaying by least a month the latest and much-expected vote on its proposed emissions trading scheme (ETS), which was meant to take place next week.

Rudd just last week told the press that he would press on with the proposed emissions trading scheme. Today Climate Change Minister Penny Wong said the delay does not mean the Government is giving up on the ETS.

”Our determination to press ahead with the[emissions scheme] remains unchanged,” she said, adding that there were a number of high-priority bills on the agenda for next week, including private health insurance.

The government already has a double-dissolution trigger on the original version of the emissions trading scheme. It has reintroduced to parliament an amended version negotiated with former opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull.

Current Opposition Leader Tony Abbott called the change of plan one of the ”all-time great political backflips” and said that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd seems to be ”running away from his own legislation.”