The Government will publicly release the exposure draft legislation on the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme on Tuesday 10 March.

Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, has written to the Senate party leaders and independent Senators proposing that the exposure draft legislation be referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Economics for consideration.

Senator Wong has also recommended that the Committee report by 14 April 2009 to coincide with the end on the public consultation period on the exposure draft.

The purpose of the exposure draft legislation is to enable consultation on the terms of the Bill and its effectiveness in delivering the White Paper's policy decisions.

"The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme is one of the most significant economic reforms before the Parliament in years," Senator Wong said.

"With the support of the Senate, the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme will start reducing Australia's emissions for the first time ever from next year.

"Releasing the exposure draft legislation will provide an early and robust opportunity for the Senate to consider the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme before the final legislation enters the Parliament in the Winter sittings."

The exposure draft legislation will be available online at www.climatechange.gov.au.

Details on the public consultation process for the draft legislation will also be available on the website from 10 March.