In Australia, the Land Down Under that didn't ratify the Kyoto treaty. And Prime Minister John Howard must go to the polls this year.

An excerpt from the BBC story:

The country is currently suffering its worst drought on record, and both climate change and water management are seen as important issues for voters.

The new environment minister is Malcolm Turnbull - a former merchant banker, best known for his failed attempt to make Australia a republic in a 1999 referendum.

"There is no doubt issues relating to climate change and water are going to be important," Mr Howard told reporters, when announcing Mr Turnbull's appointment.

"I think it is an effective concentration of the firepower of the prominent people within the government." ...

The environment critic for the Labour Party -- which leads the Liberal-National Party coalition of Howard by a 55 per cent to 45 per cent margin -- is Peter Garrett, former lead singer of the legendary Aussie band Midnight Oil.

Labour promises to ratify Kyoto if it comes to power. A recent poll conducted by The Australian newspaper suggests that the Iraq conflict will be a big factor in the election (Howard has Australian troops serving in Iraq).