Combet shies from carbon tax date

The Gillard government is hoping coalition MPs will have a change of mind and join a new parliamentary committee that aims to pave the way for a price on carbon emissions.

The government could reveal the make-up of the committee as early as today, although Climate Change Minister Greg Combet has played down that expectation, saying the announcement would be made in the very near future.

He's told ABC Radio they'll certainly be looking for the coalition to participate, despite Opposition Leader Tony Abbottruling out any coalition MP's being involved with the committee or its deliberations.

Mr Combet says this is crucial economic reform that a number of important figures external to the parliament are calling for.

Mr Combet said the new parliament, which meets for the first time on Tuesday, presented a good opportunity to create a consensus around the need for a carbon price to address climate change.

The lack of a price was causing business uncertainty and having an adverse effect on investment decisions, he said.

The committee would "stress test" the various ways to introduce a market-based scheme to reduce emissions.

Mr Combet refused to outline the government's legislative timetable for a carbon price.

Liberal senator Mitch Fifield rejected government assertions the new hung parliament had changed the political landscape following the August 21 election.

"It's code for we're going to break our promise," he told Sky News of Labor's change of position from the election campaign when it vowed not to introduce a carbon tax or an emissions trading scheme before 2013.

"The one thing thing (Prime Minister) Julia Gillard was crystal clear about was that they were not going to have a carbon tax."

As for Mr Combet, there is debate as to whether the former coal engineer will be able to fulfil his dual pledges to protect jobs in the coal industry, as well as cut carbon emissions.