Abbott wants Labor support on carbon bill

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has previewed the government's legislative agenda for this week ahead of the first full day of parliament on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott

Tony Abbott has called on Labor to support his government's carbon tax repeal legislation. (AAP)

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has called on Labor to support his government's carbon tax repeal legislation.

The bills will go before parliament on Wednesday, the first full sitting day of the new parliament.

"This is an absolutely vital piece of legislation," Mr Abbott told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.

He hoped Opposition Leader "electricity Bill Shorten" would have a "light bulb moment" and allow Labor to support the legislation.

Mr Abbott said the repeal legislation was one of five key pieces of legislation the government planned to put up this week.

The new coalition government had made a strong start on its agenda.

"Obviously, it's only a start," he said.

"I am confident that we will make a strong start in the parliament from tomorrow."

Asked how Mr Abbott could call for improved parliamentary standards while referring to the opposition leader as "electricity Bill", the prime minister said he agreed it might not pass those standards.

"It would probably be ruled out of order in the parliament, I accept that," he said.

"Let's see where things go in the parliament. I certainly want parliament to be better as well as different this time."

The other four bills going into the parliament on Wednesday include legislation to raise the national debt ceiling, repeal the mining tax, increase governance of unions and restore the building industry commissioner.


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Source: AAP


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