Not content with making deceitful claims about the Gillard Government’s carbon price, the Opposition Leader today misrepresented the President of the United States.

This morning, in an exchange with ABC Radio’s Jon Faine, Tony Abbott claimed President Obama yesterday ruled out an emissions trading scheme when, in fact, the US President did exactly the opposite.

ABBOTT: Well he’s ruled out a carbon tax and he’s ruled out an emissions trading scheme-

FAINE: A market-based solution to climate change with economic growth and progress-

ABBOTT: And in America that means cap-and-trade, which the Government has explicitly rejected.

Here is what the President said in yesterday’s State of the Union address.

I urge this Congress to get together to pursue a bipartisan, market-based solution to climate change, like the one John McCain and Joe Lieberman worked on together a few years ago. But if Congress won’t act soon to protect future generations, I will.

The McCain-Lieberman bill referred to by President Obama was for a “cap and trade” emissions trading scheme in the US economy.

On 1 July 2012, Australia’s emissions trading scheme began.  It begins with a three year fixed price period before moving to a “cap and trade” emissions trading scheme on 1 July 2015.

Mr Abbott has misled the public about President Obama’s position on climate change and carbon pricing.

I will continue issuing these Bulletins to hold Mr Abbott to account for his serial deceit.

 Media contact: Mark Davis, Gia Hayne 02 6277 7920