In December, he went to Bali to declare that Australia, at last, would ratify the Kyoto protocol on climate change.

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But the American position suffered a blow Monday when Australia's new Prime Minister Kevin Rudd signed papers to ratify the Kyoto Protocol climate pact.

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It would also ratify the Kyoto Protocol on climate change.

ECONOMIST: Australia's opposition

There had been fears that Mr Bush would reject a UN-sponsored programme just as America has refused to ratify the Kyoto protocol whereby leading countries pledge to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions at least 5% below 1990 levels.

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