Opposition to vote against Australian government’s ETS legislation

Embattled Australian opposition leader, Malcolm Turnbull has scored a victory of sorts and strengthened his authority. Turnbull's most trenchant public critic, Wilson Tuckey, had to tone down his shrill rhetoric at the Liberal's only meeting yesterday enabling Turnbull to rally coalition MPs firmly behind his alternative emissions trading scheme, which aims to propose amendments to the government's plan later this year.

Tuckey came under attack from Bob Baldwin, holder of a NSW seat, even as the party sentiment against Tuckey is rising. Baldwin accused Tuckey of being completely out of touch with the party line and taking a position that was highly damaging to his colleagues.

Earlier Tuckey had aired his grievances about the shadow cabinet's position on emissions trading policy but later toned down his attack compared with what he has been saying recently.

Tuckey also came under attack from Turnbull who said that anyone nursing any concerns about the opposition position on emissions trading could get in touch with him stressing public observation of his fondness to his Blackberry.

On Monday, Turnbull had announced that the joint parties did not formally endorse the emissions alternative but after a long briefing the members seemed to be quite impressed.

Turnbull said the opposition would vote against the government's ETS legislation on Thursday which was approved by the MPs. The third factor in the tussle on the ETS between the government and the opposition, the coalition's vote would be determined by the shape of the bill presented b the government, Turnbull said.