Liberals to decide leader on Tuesday

The meeting was set to be Monday, although Turnbull confirmed late on Firday that he had pushed the meeting until Tuesday, a day after the ETS bill is revisited in the senate.

Tony Abbott confirmed it was his 'strong intention' to challenge on Monday, writing to Liberal whip Alex Somlyay asking for a leadership spill.

Nick Minchin had earlier backed Abbott by saying that if Turnbull did not listen to criticisms on the bill, Abbott would have no choice but to run.

Turnbull hanging on

Leader Malcolm Turnbull is still defiant in the face of Tony Abbott's challenge, despite support falling away from him dramatically over the last few days.

"I will run until the party votes me out - I will stay leader until I am voted out as leader", Turnbull said on Sky News.

Shadow Resources Minister Ian MacFarlance said that "Malcolm still has the support of the majority."

"Malcolm Turnbull will fight any vote for the leadership", MacFarlane also said on Sky News.

According to political website The Punch, Turnbull himself was lunching at a French restaurant in Sydney's Surry Hills while the drama was unfolding.

“What they have done is like political terrorism", he reportedly said. "They have basically tried to blow up the party.”

He later defended his position in an opinion piece on the same website, staking the future of the Liberal Party on the issue

"We are at a turning point in the history of the Liberal Party. We cannot go backwards", Turnbull writes.

"The Liberal Party has to be committed to taking responsible action on climate change if we want to stay a relevant political force in Australia"

Speaking later on the 7.30 Report Turnbull conceded that "there are probably more climate change sceptics amongst our base....than in the community generally."

When asked what he thought his chances were, he said "I believe I will be endorsed, but it is up to the party room."

Hockey reluctant

There are also moves in some corners of the Liberal Party to install Joe Hockey as leader, but he says he'll only move if the position becomes vacant. 

He has not commented to the media, although he has been active on his Twitter profile, asking colleagues for their opinions on the ETS.

Mr Abbott earlier on Friday flagged he'd be willing to stand aside and give Joe Hockey a clear run for the seamless transition many are seeking, if that was indeed an option.

If he is to emerge as a potential leader, his former support of ETS - arguably stronger than that of Abbott's - is likely to cause problems, if not ammunition for the government.

"But if Joe's not a candidate, I'm there with bells on," Abbott said.

Abbott was today still stressing that it was not a 'leadership issue'.

"This isn't all about me", he said. "The important thing is about getting the policy changed and the party as united as it can be."

No ETS vote today

Meanwhile, the government's emissions trading legislation did not pass the upper house before this afternoon's deadline, amid accusations of filibustering on the part of opposition and crossbench senators.

Debate today resumed on the legislation, but the Senate's consideration of 200 amendments related to the bill moved at glacial speed.

Opposition and Greens senators put a multitude of questions to Climate Change Minister Penny Wong on details surrounding the legislation, some of which have already been addressed.

The delaying tactics mean Labor's hopes that there would be a Senate vote on the legislation by 1545 AEDT were been scuppered. Acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard has now extended the vote until Monday - although many commentators argue there is far too little time for the dozens of amendments that are yet to be discussed.

Liberal senator Scott Ryan on Friday asked Senator Wong to clarify an answer already given to Greens senator Christine Milne about Kyoto units, which refer to certified levels of carbon
emissions expressed in tonnes.

"With respect Senator Ryan, you're doing a far better job than Senator (Julian) McGauran and Senator (Barnaby) Joyce yesterday in taking up a lot of time," Senator Wong said.