No, I'm not making this up. He actually said this during a debate.
Prime Minister John Howard has announced during the election leaders' debate that if the Coalition is re-elected it would set up a climate change fund.
He says its priorities would be to invest in clean energy technology and to support households who are most affected by the higher prices after a carbon price is set.
He also said that if he wins the election he would try to push the United States to do more on climate change, including lobbying George Bush. "I think his attitude is changing, I do," he said.
"I think a re-elected Coalition government in Australia would have more opportunity and more likelihood of bringing about a change, on behalf of or by the Americans, than just about any other government in the world."
EDIT
http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/22/2065509.htm?section=justin