Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says the Coalition won't accept proposed arrangements for the pairing of the parliamentary Speaker because it's constitutionally unsound.
Mr Abbott said he had based his decision on the views of Solicitor-General Stephen Gageler.
"From a close reading of the solicitor-general's opinion, the only basis on which the Speaker can be paired is an informal arrangement," he told reporters in Sydney in Thursday.
"The Coalition cannot accept the proposed arrangement for the pairing of the Speaker because after careful consideration of the matter, we believe that it is constitutionally unsound."
Mr Abbott said legislation was too important to be based "on an informal arrangement."
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"Now, I very much regret that the parliamentary reform agreement in this respect, and in this respect only, cannot be supported, because I think that parliamentary reform is very important. But you cannot agree to do something which is in breach of the constitution," he said.
In a letter to the prime minister dated August 30, Mr Abbott said he recommended former Clerk of the House, Ian Harris, chair a Parliamentary Reform Committee.
"The prime minister rejected this proposal," he said.
"If Mr Harris had been guiding the process, it is absolutely crystal clear that the problem would never have arisen."
