Abbott hopeful Palmer will help axe tax

The federal government's confident of repealing the carbon tax next week after an assurance from Clive Palmer that changes he wants won't apply broadly to business.

The carbon tax repeal bills will go back to the lower house after the PUP derailed the repeal. (AAP)

Talks between Palmer United Party staff and government officials are progressing today, a day after the party's senators joined with Labor and the Greens to vote down the government's carbon tax repeal.

PUP leader Clive Palmer isn't directly involved because he's taking a short break in New Zealand before parliament again debates the legislation on Monday.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has talked down the scale of the problem facing the government, blaming it on an inexperienced Senate.