Australia's bold plans for a carbon emissions trading scheme are underthreat after the conservative opposition in Canberra hardened itsstance against it. Critics of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's proposal say itwould cost jobs and provoke economic uncertainty for the next 20years.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd (file photo)
The prime minister wants the legislation - a proposal that would become the world's most sweeping emissions trading system - passed bythe end of next month.

Under the bill, companieswould have to buy permits for every ton of carbon they emit, a systemdesigned to provide financial incentives for those that reduce theirpollution. It would cover about 75 percent of emissions fromAustralia's 1,000 largest polluters.

Critics say thatnew, independent research proves the system will damage the Australianeconomy and cost jobs if it is introduced at a time of global recession.

Conservative lawmaker Andrew Robb says the government should delay its controversial plans.

"Thisreport establishes very clearly that the government has got seriouswork to do to fix this deeply flawed scheme that they have put inplace. Do not put in jeopardy tens of thousands of Australian jobs," said Robb.

The left-of-center Mr. Rudd wants the scheme to be working by July of next year.

The measures need the approval of the country's upper house of parliament, the Senate, which the government does not control.Vehicles and a barn burn in bushfires 125 kilometers west of Melbourne, Australia, 07 Feb 2009

It needs the support of Greens Senators, who argue the scheme does not go far enough to protect the environment.

ClimateChange minister Penny Wong is adamant she can convince skeptics tochange their mind and that the plans will get parliamentary approval.

"AllI can say is that we are determined to act in the national interest andthe national interest means that we are determined to get thislegislation through," said Wong.

Australia,one of the world's worst per capita emitters of greenhouse gases, warnsthat without tough environmental measures the country would losejobs and key industries, including agriculture and tourism.

Along-standing drought, along with recent devastating bushfires andwidespread floods have given some scientists more reason to think thatthe vast continent is likely to be one of the countrieshardest hit by a shifting climate.

Skeptics argue, however, thatrising temperatures and warmer oceans are part of a natural cycle andare not convinced the changes are a result of man's pollution.