Malcolm Turnbull has left his Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg to answer why he backtracked on a review into climate change policy following concerns from backbench MPs.
After telling the ABC on Monday an emissions intensity scheme was being looked at as part of the inquiry, the minister on Tuesday denied ever mentioning it and on Wednesday said one wouldn't be introduced.
Asked what changed over the 33 hours, the prime minister insisted there was no reference to the scheme in the terms of reference of the government's review, which was previously announced by the Abbott government.
"The review is business as usual," he told reporters at the Sydney Fish Markets.
"We will not be imposing a carbon tax and we will not be imposing an emissions trading scheme, however it is called."
Related reading
Govt sets climate change review in motion
Repeatedly asked whether Mr Frydenberg made a mistake or was instructed on what to say, Mr Turnbull refused to comment.
"You will have to ask Josh Frydenberg. The government's policy is very clear."
Ahead of a trip to Antarctica, Mr Frydenberg told reporters in Hobart he'd spoken to Mr Turnbull and seen his media conference in Sydney.
"Our position has been clear all along," he insisted.
"We will not be adopting an emissions intensity scheme."
Mr Frydenberg said the emissions intensity scheme was never in the review's terms of reference.
Labor leader Bill Shorten said it was amazing what could happen in 48 hours in the Turnbull government.
"Mr Turnbull can't hold a position between the time he gets up to when he has his first coffee," he told reporters in Melbourne.
"He doesn't believe in anything except saving his job.
"We're seeing him lash out and lie and make up stories about Labor because he can't convince his own party to take sensible action on climate change."
Opposition frontbencher Jason Clare claimed Britney Spears' first marriage lasted longer than what Mr Frydenberg said and it only lasted two days.
Related reading
Economy in reverse but recovery expected
He said the backflip showed how weak Mr Turnbull was, insisting he was still fearful of losing his job over the issue, like he did in 2009.
The prime minister once believed in tackling climate change but was now being "led around like a prize bull at the Easter show" by the right-wing of his party, he said.
Liberal frontbencher Karen Andrews said she was pleased that a carbon tax had been ruled out, insisting the government could not take actions that pushed up energy prices.
She said Australia needed to have a discussion about nuclear power.
"The part of the equation that we have not discussed fully in my view is nuclear power generation."
The Climate Institute's CEO John Connor called for a proper national plan, instead of "knee-jerk reactionary responses".
"We've got to stop choosing to live in a fish bowl of fish-mongering," he told AAP.
Mr Connor warned ruling out options increases risks to energy security, prices and jobs.
