Australia's climate bill thrown into chaos

CANBERRA, Australia, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Dissent among Australia's Liberal Party members meant a missed deadline for the Senate to pass the emissions trading legislation, officials said.

While the Senate adjourned Friday -- its last day of business for 2009 -- it agreed to return Monday to resume debate on the package of 11 bills, the BBC reported.

Liberal leader Malcolm Turnbull reached agreement with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to pass the legislation in the Senate where Liberals are the minority. If the Senate doesn't pass the package, Rudd could seek a snap election.

Rudd wanted to pass the bill, which would cut emissions by up to 25 percent of 2000 levels by 2020, in time for the U.N. climate change summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December. After it was initially rejected, the proposal was revised to include more support for industry and farmers.

Turnbull faces rebellion among his party's members and a challenge from a Liberal party figure, the British broadcaster said. Turnbull said he doesn't intend to resign as leader, warning that failing to support climate change legislation would spell doom for the Liberal Party.

"We would be wiped out," he said during an interview on Australian radio. "The vast majority of Australians want to see action on climate change."