Tony Abbott has used his first parliamentary question as opposition leader to challenge Kevin Rudd to a televised debate on climate change.
The opposition today revealed its alternative to the government's proposed Emissions Trading Scheme, saying its plan would be cheaper and simpler.
Prime Minister Rudd said Abbott's plan 'lacked substance'. His response to Abbott's speech was disrupted by hecklers, though it was not clear to which point they were objecting.
Parliament resumed on Tuesday after the lengthy summer break.
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Mr Abbott, who earlier released the coalition's long-awaited climate change policy, opened question time by directly challenging the prime minister.
"When I first challenged the prime minister to a public debate on climate change, he refused, saying the coalition had no policy," he told parliament.
"Well, we have a policy which is simpler, cheaper and clearer than the government's.
"Does the prime minister have the guts to have a nationally-televised debate about climate change?"
But the pressure of the moment clearly had an effect on the opposition leader, who inadvertently called the speaker "Mr Policy" halfway through his question.
"First time nerves," Mr Abbott said to laughter from the government benches.
Mr Rudd responded by saying the proceedings of parliament, including the long-running debate on climate change policy, were televised daily.
