Tony Abbott has promised the mining industry any future carbon emissions target won't be set in a way that harms the economy.
Australia will take part in talks in Paris later this year to put the world on track to contain the global temperature rise to below 2C through cuts to emissions.
The prime minister told the Minerals Industry Parliamentary Dinner in Canberra on Wednesday the nation was on track to achieve a 13 per cent reduction in emissions by 2020 on 2005 levels.
"Australia is a country that keeps its commitments," Mr Abbott said.
To date the government's emissions reduction fund - which replaced Labor's carbon pricing scheme - had achieved 47 million tonnes of reduction at a cost of $14 a tonne, he said.
"The best generator of a clean environment is a strong economy," Mr Abbott said.
"We will continue to deliver reduced emissions in ways that don't damage our economy."
The prime minister also challenged crossbench senators to pass workplace law changes to boost the mining sector.
These included restoring the Australian Building and Construction Commission and extending its powers to offshore work, including resources projects.
Right-to-entry law changes were also essential to stop unionist "disruption" of workplaces.
Mr Abbott said greater access to individual flexible arrangements and removal of the union veto on greenfield projects would add to productivity.
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