Senator LUDWIG (Queensland—Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Minister Assisting on Queensland Floods Recovery) (14:25): I thank Senator Cormann for his long question. Last month the government did secure—so I will grant him that—an agreement to link Australia's carbon price with the European Union emissions trading system, the ETS. What the opposition fails to recognise is that this is a positive step. In fact, if you look at the advantages that are there, linking Australia's emissions trading scheme to Europe is a significant achievement in support of international carbon markets. What the opposition were in favour of a few years ago—they are now not so much in favour of it—is how you take global action on reducing our emissions; in other words, global action on climate change. Opposition senators interjecting— Senator LUDWIG: I know you do not like those two words; they are an anathema to you, because you do not want to act. You do not agree with an emissions trading scheme. It is the best way to reduce our emissions and our carbon in the economy, and Australia, in taking that step, is taking a positive step, because from 1 July 2015 Australia's carbon price will reflect the carbon price paid by at least 30 other countries, including the UK, France and Germany. From 2015 we will transition to an internationally linked ETS where the global market sets the price on pollution. It is a positive benefit. Why? Because we will be able to then be part of 530 million people—a combined population who will be able to have the same carbon price within those 30-odd countries. This really does demonstrate, and the government is in— (Time expired)