KEY POINTS:
The emissions trading scheme is nearing crunch time with more than 900 changes expected when it is reported back to Parliament today - but the Green Party says more changes are needed to secure the party's support.
The Government is struggling to secure support for the bill introducing the scheme.
Among the changes anticipated are those sought by the Government to delay introducing fuel into the scheme from 2009 to 2011 and a five-year extension to the period before the phase out of free allocations to industry begins.
The changes were opposed by the Green Party, which came close to pulling its support, saying any watering down would have little impact on the environment.
Yesterday, Green co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said she had given Labour a list of further proposed changes.
However, the Government will also need NZ First to ensure the bill passes and any major concessions for the Greens could put that support at risk.
NZ First is concerned about extra costs on householders, especially those on fixed incomes such as pen-sioners.
Budget documents revealed NZ First had secured a promise of discounts for Super Gold Card holders to help offset expected power price increases under the scheme.
However on Agenda yesterday, NZ First leader Winston Peters said there were still "serious issues" yet to be resolved.
Mr Peters is likely to wait to see what changes the Greens get before making a final decision, and he called on National to reconsider its decision not to support the scheme.
"The idea of us quitting or reneging on our international obligations would make us international lepers, it will cost us seriously economically.
National leader John Key said it would not reconsider its support. He disagreed with Mr Peters' view that it would affect New Zealand's international standing which would be judged by its commitment to the Kyoto Protocol, rather than the scheme "and National is not questioning that".
