He also said Julia Gillard had already broken an election promise, by scrapping the Citizens' Assembly.
Abbott said no Liberal election commitment would be “junked in the quest for power”, calling the “quest for power the only principal Labor holds dear”.
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He said that it was clear from Bob Brown's press conference that there would a carbon tax under a Labor/ Green government, adding that the Coalition was the only party that would be good for the bush.
The Opposition leader told reporters that he was committed to dealing with climate change, but not in a way that would cost consumers.
Abbott said his party would “be consistent with the policies we took to the elections”, ruling out much hope that he might compromise to win the Independents' support.
He was unfazed by the prospect of a Green majority in the Senate, saying:
“We have a record in government of working effectively with Senates that are not of our political persuasion.”
Abbott said he was disappointed in Bob Brown for “throwing a lifeline” to a discredited Labor party, and having “never had serious talks” with the Coalition.
“No doubt the Greens did well, but I do think they were in a sense campaigning under false pretences, obviously there was a clear understanding between Bob Brown and Julia Gillard pre-election.”
