"If we did what Mr Abbott is suggesting 'it would double the cost of reducing our emissions' to achieve the 5 per cent reduction by 2020.
He added that the 'overhwelming advice' points to a market mechanism being the best way to achieve a cut in emissions.
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Mr Combet also said there should be 'no more nonsense about this being rammed through.'
Earlier in the week, opposition Leader Tony Abbott said it would be a "travesty of democracy" for the government to rush its 18 Clean Energy Future bills through parliament because it had no mandate for a carbon tax.
Visiting a concreting company, the Mr Abbott today told reporters Precast Concrete Solutions was one of tens of thousands of small businesses that would be hit by the carbon tax.
In one month, the company paid about $3000 for its electricity and used about 70 tonnes of steel and 30 tonnes of cement.
"Power, steel and cement are all going up and up under the carbon tax," Mr Abbott said, adding the company would also have to meet increased transport costs.
He warned those working in the manufacturing sector their future was uncertain under a carbon tax.
