Australia utility Origin calls for carbon agreement

Published: 12 Aug 2009 17:52:44 PST

SYDNEY, Aug 13 - Australia's second-largest power retailer, Origin Energy, called on national lawmakers on Thursday to urgently agree a plan to cut carbon emissions, minutes after parliament rejected the government's scheme.

Earlier, the Senate voted down the plan for the world's most ambitious carbon emissions trade regime, bringing the nation closer to a snap election on the issue and also prolonging financial uncertainties for major emitters.

"The ongoing uncertainty surrounding the (carbon-reduction) legislation is delaying both the investment necessary to meet Australia's long-term baseload electricity needs and the investment in lower-carbon technology required to gradually reduce Australia's emissions," it said in a statement.