Australia ratifies Kyoto protocol

New Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said today he had signed the paperwork to ratify the Kyoto Protocol on global warming, nine days after sweeping to power in elections that ended more than 11 years of conservative rule.

“This is the first official act of the new Australian government, demonstrating my government’s commitment to tackling climate change,” Rudd said in a statement issued hours after he and his ministers were officially sworn in.

Rudd said he had signed the "instrument of ratification" of the Kyoto Protocol, and that it would come into force 90 days after the paperwork was received by the United Nations.

“Australia will become a full member of the Kyoto Protocol before the end of March 2008,” Rudd said.

“Australia’s official declaration today that we will become a member of the Kyoto Protocol is a significant step forward in our country’s efforts to fight climate change domestically – and with the international community,” he said.

Rudd, 50, a Chinese-speaking former diplomat, led the left-leaning Labour Party to a sweeping victory at the elections that ended more than 11 years of conservative rule under former Prime Minister John Howard.