Rudd abandons own carbon scheme

Climate action group Rising Tide Newcastle has slammed the changes to the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme announced today by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

“Kevin Rudd is going to take an already heavily compromised CPRS, make it weaker still, and put the whole thing off for a year. This government may as well admit defeat. In the battle between big business and the climate in Australia, business has won”, said Rising Tide spokesperson Annika Dean.

The Prime Minister made the announcement at the National Press Club at midday that Australia's 2020 emissions reduction targets would be a mere 5%, prompting the three women to interrupt his speech in protest.

Activists occupy the coal yards at Bayswater Power Station: 1st November 2008

• Here is slick image gallery of the protest
• Here is the cluncky version of the image gallery

29 people have been arrested after a climate change protest at Bayswater power station today.