Mr Palmer must clarify vague global warming policy

The Greens are celebrating the fact that Greens, Labor and Mr Palmer will use the Senate to block the repeal of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, Renewable Energy Target and Climate Change Authority, but are extremely sceptical about Mr Palmer's vague support for an emissions trading scheme.

"It is fantastic that the Senate will save the renewable energy institutions that the Greens established in the last Parliament. These critical institutions are reducing pollution, saving the government money and creating jobs in new industries," Greens Leader Christine Milne said.

"When it comes to pricing pollution, Mr Palmer appears to be having it both ways. The fact is, we already have an emissions trading scheme.

"Mr Palmer's proposal is extremely vague. I'm not sure if that is intentional or if he doesn't understand that we already have an emissions trading scheme.

"We need to clarify whether Mr Palmer doesn't understand our current emissions trading scheme or whether he is delaying sincere action on global warming.

"The price on pollution that is already legislated is working and already linked to the European Union. It is the cheapest and most effective global warming policy we could have, and we should keep it.

"A cynical interpretation would be that Mr Palmer is wanting to push out any effective action until after the next election, because the Abbott government will not act to strengthen any scheme like Mr Palmer's proposal would require."