From the ABC

The Federal Government has issued an ultimatum to the Opposition in a bid to break the deadlock over its stalled emissions trading legislation.

Climate Change Minister Penny Wong has written to Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull from the United States, setting out a timetable for negotiations over the scheme.

The increased pressure on the Opposition comes as Prime Minister Kevin Rudd overnight played a leading role at the United Nations leaders forum on climate change.

The Opposition does not want the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme to pass the Senate until after the Copenhagen climate change talks in November.

But it is coming under the increasing threat from the Government of a double dissolution election if it votes down the laws a second time.

Speaking from the UN talks in New York, Mr Rudd said the request was fair.

But Mr Turnbull, who is in London, has dismissed the letter as a stunt.

"I am not interested in Penny Wong's deadlines or timetables. We have a process, it is a business-like process, and we're going to pursue it," he said.

"If she's prepared to negotiate with us over the emissions trading scheme it may be that we'll reach agreement. Maybe we won't."

Mr Turnbull has also brushed aside the possibility of bringing on a double dissolution election if the legislation fails a second time.

"Will we vote for the bill in November? The answer to that as it always has been, that will depend on the extent to which our amendments are agreed to by the Government and the other political circumstances of the time, including what the international developments are.

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As all of these pollies are overseas — including Malcolm in London — Australia is experiencing the worst and strangest weather for a long time. Hot and cold, Hot one day, red-dusty the next, possibly the warmest and driest September, possibly the warmest year on record after the warmest winter on record as 2.4 degree C above average... While Rome burns, Nero and his cohorte plays the violin or the lute, like the orchestra on the titanic... Please Mal, do us a favour. Vote the emission scheme, even if it's not ideal.