Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says the federal government has confirmed in law its "betrayal" of the Australian people after its controversial carbon tax passed through parliament.
The Labor minority government won the historic vote in the Senate 36 to 32 on Tuesday with the support of the Greens.
The legislation was passed without amendments and is now set to become law.
Mr Abbott, who is currently travelling overseas, said Prime Minister Julia Gillard had no mandate to impose the tax.
"Today Julia Gillard and the Labor party have confirmed in law their betrayal of the Australian people," Mr Abbott said in a statement.
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"This new tax is a blow to the future of Australian manufacturing and a new burden for families struggling under cost of living increases." Three million households will be worse off under the tax, he said.
"The longer this tax is in place, the worse the consequences for the economy, jobs and families," he said.
"It will drive up the cost of living, threaten jobs and do nothing for the environment." Mr Abbott repeated his promise to scrap the policy.
"At the next election, I will seek a mandate from the Australian people to repeal this tax," he vowed.
