Australian greens oppose legislation diluting carbon emissions

CANBERRA, Australia, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Environmental, union and welfare lobbyists are uniting to pressure Australia's government not to dilute its emissions trading legislation.

The Age reported Sunday the activists have warned the federal government of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in an open letter that their support will be withdrawn if the proposed legislation is rendered ''ineffective or irresponsible'' by amendments proposed by the opposition.

Among the groups endorsing the letter are the Southern Cross Climate Coalition, which includes the Australian Conservation Foundation, Climate Institute, World Wildlife Fund, Australian Council of Social Service and the Australian Council of Trade Unions. The lobbyists also sent their missive to opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull and cross-bench senators Nick Xenophon and Steve Fielding, cautioning that major polluters should not be offered further concessions.

The group's spokesman John Connor stated, ''It's not effective or responsible to give windfall gains to booming coalminers or to give billions extra to businesses who bought brown coal-fired generators knowing a carbon price was coming.''