To add further fuel to the already raging Liberal leadership fire, the Federal Government is threatening to pull the rug on the emissions trading deal if there isn’t a vote on Friday.
But Opposition members against the legislation say a Senate vote in that timeframe just won’t happen.
The Liberal party is too busy fighting a battle of its own, after embattled leader Malcolm Turnbull went against his party and voted yes to the Federal Government’s emissions trading scheme earlier in the week, sparking outrage among a number of Liberal frontbenchers.
Prominent Liberal Tony Abbott is expected to challenge Turnbull for the leadership on Monday, after a total 12 frontbenchers quit their shadow portfolios over the climate deal.
The Nationals, Greens and the two independents said they will vote against the legislation, and Independent senator Nick Xenophon told ABC Radio he doesn’t think the legislation will pass the upper house.
“I don’t think it will (pass) today, he said. But it really depends on those seven or eight Liberals who are still stuck on Malcolm Turnbull,” he said.
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