They’re very unlikely to cave. Unless they get at least some changes, they’ll vote it down.

Excellent, just what the government needs. An extension of time with the blessing of the Greens while we work through the GFC. All the major players will be happy then.

This ETS effectively makes no difference anyway, so that threat is hollow.

Having the Greens voting against an ETS would be seen in a very poor light. Fancy wanting no ETS over what they think is a weak ETS. As for the rest of the world holding their breath to see what we do, this is absolute BS. Talk about overstating our influence.

I think it is safe to say if Mal wanted a seat he’d get one.

Just make sure it is REALLY safe, he needs about a 20% margin. Anything below that would count as marginal for him.

But, by and large, it doesn’t.

Who set up APEC?
Who helped draft the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
Who helped set up the rebuilding process in Cambodia?
Who helped secure East Timor, so that it could vote for independence?
Which country was one of the first to recognise one China?

I think it is safe to say if Mal wanted a seat he’d get one.

We need him.

It can care about Australia leading on issues

But, by and large, it doesn’t.

This is another problem with Tory’s, they completely under-rate the ability of Australia to have a positive impact on the world.

It’s called the Cultural Cringe and it was a feature of the Menzies Years.

I can’t even believe that there are people who actually think the international community cares about the action Australia takes on the issue.

It can care about Australia leading on issues, for example, the 1995 Canberra Commission on the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is still considered the definitive report on the issue.
http://www.dfat.gov.au/cc/cc_report_mnu.html

Of course the Howard Government just completely ignored it.

This is another problem with Tory’s, they completely under-rate the ability of Australia to have a positive impact on the world.