Rio urges Australia against emissions tax

SYDNEY, April 30 (AFP): Mining giant Rio Tinto weighed into the debate over Australia's proposed carbon emissions tax Saturday, urging Canberra not to rush into a decision while major polluters such as China and the United States held back. Prime Minister Julia Gillard wants to charge polluters from July 2012 under a fixed-price scheme that would move to a full cap-and-trade model linked to international carbon markets within five years. But she faces stiff opposition from her political rivals and the business community, with the powerful coal industry warning the plan will drive investment offshore. and damage Australia's mining-powered economy. Rio Tinto voiced its objections Saturday, warning Australia not to jump the gun on emissions when few significant polluters were taking similar action. "The question is how and when does Australia move in the light of the disappointment of the Copenhagen (climate change) conference, and in the light of the fact there are very few signs the big gorillas -- the United States and China -- really are going to be moving," Rio chairman Jan du Plessis told The Australian newspaper.