Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has challenged Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to a debate on measures to tackle climate change.
Mr Rudd on Tuesday announced plans to "terminate" the fixed carbon price and move Australia faster to a floating price emissions trading scheme.
The plan will cost $3.8 billion in revenue but Labor has also proposed offsetting budget cuts, including public service job losses, to pay for it.
Anticipating a coalition attack over the move, Mr Rudd also challenged Mr Abbott to a debate at the National Press Club in Canberra on any day next week.
"Here's the challenge. You pick the day next week at the National Press Club to debate the carbon price," he said.
"The emissions trading scheme under this government, versus your scheme.
"Let the people decide through that debate whether we have the facts supporting our case or yours."
Mr Rudd last month challenged Mr Abbott to a debate on the economy.
Mr Abbott has previously said he's prepared to debate Mr Rudd in parliament or when the official election campaign gets under way.
On Monday, Mr Abbott ridiculed carbon pricing, saying emissions trading was "a so-called market in the non-delivery of an invisible substance to no one".
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