Rudd deal on carbon trades goes to parliament

CANBERRA: Australia's government will boost compensation to big carbon emitters, coal companies and electricity generators under a revised carbon-trade scheme aimed at securing vital parliamentary support in a vote this week.

Full opposition support and parliamentary approval would be a boost for the government just weeks before a major UN climate change conference in Denmark. But Greens slammed the billions of dollars in extra compensation as throwing good money away.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd unveiled the revised scheme after reaching a deal with opposition leaders. But he still needs the backing of the opposition parties, which are deeply divided on the issue and were meeting late yesterday to discuss the plan.