Turnbull stands by direct action policy

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says his government is sticking with the coalition's direct action plan to reduce Australia's carbon emissions.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is sticking by the coalition's climate change action policies. (AAP)

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is sticking by the climate change action policies of Tony Abbott.

Mr Turnbull, who lost the Liberal leadership to Mr Abbott in 2009 over his support for Labor's emissions trading scheme, was asked in parliament on Tuesday whether he would retain the coalition's emissions reduction fund.

"The reality is if it works in practice, it works. If it cuts emissions, it does the job," Mr Turnbull said.