The Courier-Mail
By: Clinton Porteous
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has declared his intention to be known as a climate change fighter by moving to ratify the Kyoto Protocol within minutes of being sworn-in as the nation's leader.
The first act of the 26th Prime Minister was to sign a document calling for the Governor-General to ratify the climate change agreement.
The swift action was welcomed by environmental groups and sets the stage for Mr Rudd to make a triumphant entry when he attends a UN climate change conference in Bali next week.
The conference started yesterday and when it was announced Australia would ratify the agreement, delegates broke into wild rounds of applause.
Former prime minister John Howard campaigned against ratification, on grounds it would cost Australian jobs, but this stand has now been dumped by the new Coalition leadership team.
Mr Rudd announced yesterday he had signed the instrument of ratification and that Governor-General Michael Jeffery had granted approval.
"This is the first official act of the new Australian Government, demonstrating my Government's commitment to tackling climate change,'' Mr Rudd said.
"Australia's official declaration today that we will become a member of the Kyoto Protocol is a significant step forward in our country's efforts to fight climate change domestically -- and with the international community.''
Environmental groups were delighted with the announcement but said it needed to be followed up with strong targets for cutting carbon emissions by the year 2020.
"This is a great moment in Australia's political history for fighting climate change,'' Climate Institute chief John O'Connor said.
Greenpeace's Steve Campbell said: "This is the great first step Australia must take in repairing the legacy of 11 years of climate inaction.''
Australia's ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, where developed nations are set targets on cutting emissions, will take 90 days to come into force.
The Bali meeting will kick off negotiations for an agreement beyond 2012, when the Kyoto Protocol expires.
Climate change will be a major agenda item at the first Cabinet meeting on Thursday in Brisbane.
The first item to be discussed by Cabinet will be the roll-out of computer terminals to every secondary school student in Years 9 to 12 as part of the "education revolution''.