But what bureaucratic leader is going to say "my department's work isn't very important"?

Climate action not on backburner: Wong

The world economic crisis will be taken into account in the design of an emissions trading scheme, Climate Change Minister Penny Wong says.

But Senator Wong, who is in Poland for climate change talks, said because businesses needed certainty and clarity, the scheme should go ahead as planned.
...
Federal Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull reiterated the coalition's position that emissions trading should be delayed until 2011 or 2012.

Starting in 2010 would mean planning in the dark, he said.

The Australian Greens insist global market turmoil should not be used as an excuse to delay the introduction of a carbon emissions trading scheme.

Tuesday's Newspoll - which shows 13 per cent support for the Greens - was a record high for the party and proved Australians supported carbon trading, their leader Bob Brown said.