Showdown in Senate for carbon tax laws

The carbon tax repeal laws have passed the lower house, but the real fight will begin in the Senate. Source: AAP

THE Abbott government has cleared the first hurdle in getting the carbon tax scrapped, but is now set for a hostile showdown with their opponents in the Senate.

The government used its numbers in the House of Representatives to pass a package of laws to abolish not just the carbon tax, but the Climate Change Authority and Clean Energy Finance Corporation.

But while the bills were destined to clear the lower house without much fuss, the real battle to axe the tax will begin in the Senate in early December.

Labor and the Australian Greens have vowed to stop the legislation from becoming law, and they collectively hold the balance of power until the upper house changeover in July.

The government knows this, and started ramping up the pressure on Opposition Leader Bill Shorten the moment the bills passed on Thursday.

"If Labor decides to vote against the repeal in the Senate, it will be clear proof that Labor hasn't changed under Bill Shorten," Prime Minister Tony Abbott said told supporters in an email.

"I want the repeal of the carbon tax to be passed by Christmas, and to give Australian families and businesses the help they need."

It doesn't look likely that the bills will pass parliament before it rises for the summer, but the government isn't going to walk away from its signature election promise in a hurry.

Environment Minister Greg Hunt reminded the MPs the coalition had a contract with the Australian people, and this bill was about "honouring one's words".

"They determined the result of this election clearly and comprehensively and unequivocally," he said.

"They voted for a government which proposed the repeal of the carbon tax."

Opposition climate change spokesman Mark Butler tried to turn the spotlight onto the government's so-called direct action policy carbon abatement policy by moving an amendment.

Speaker Bronwyn Bishop ruled against it, sparking an intense war of words that stalled proceedings in the lower house and delayed a vote until after 3pm (AEDT).

Mr Butler said the environment minister didn't want to discuss direct action because it was a "stinking dead albatross hanging around his neck".

"We know the minister doesn't believe this is going to make any effect to reduce carbon pollution," he said.

There was no shortage of hot words exchanged, notably Labor MP Graham Perrett's wish that the grandchildren of his opponents would track them down in old age and "give them a good head butt".

Greens MP Adam Bandt said the government had chosen cowardice over courage, saying the country needed a Churchill on climate action but had got a Chamberlain instead.

The government wants a Senate inquiry into the carbon tax repeal legislation to report back by December 2, and it could get Greens support, but Labor is pushing for a later date.

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