Senate Blocks Cap-and-Tax Energy Rationing in Australia

Yesterday the Australian Senate defeated cap-and-trade energy rationing legislation, by a 42-30 vote. Let’s hope the U.S. Senate acts similarly this Fall, and votes down the global warming energy tax that passed through the House of Representatives in late June, before anyone had the time to read it.

Under Australia’s parliamentary system of government, the Senate is largely a rubber stamp body, but it does have the power to bloc legislation.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd can choose to re-submit the failed cap-and-tax legislation in three months. If, however, the Senate blocks it again, the Australian constitution calls for the dissolution of the government and immediate elections (a 10-12 week process), after which the entire Parliament must meet to consider the legislation.