Government goes cold on ETS inquiry

On the 13th of February Agitate! reported that the the House of Representatives Economics Committee had received a reference from the Treasurer to report on the choice of emissions trading as the central policy to reduce Australia's carbon pollution.

As of late last week this reference has been withdrawn.  The reasons are unclear and the Committee's website sheds no light on the reason(s), simply stating that:

'... the Inquiry into the choice of emissions trading as the central policy to reduce Australia's carbon pollution has been discontinued and the committee is not receiving submissions'

References from Ministers to such Committees are usually made at the behest of the Committee Chair, who will often write the reference and simply get the relevant Minister to sign it. 

It would be interesting to know exactly who was the originator of the reference, and even more interesting to know who made the decision to withdraw it.  The Committee, as with all parliamentary committees is dominated by government members, so there is little if any chance of the final report going against the government's wishes. 

Then again, perhaps there are some government members who are beginning to realise all too clearly what an economic catastrophe the ETS will be, especially without buy in from developing countires to seriously address climate change.