The Turnbull government is contemplating last ditch efforts to resuscitate a controversial free trade deal, but could face a parliament unwilling to cooperate.
The future of the 12-country Trans-Pacific Partnership is uncertain, with incoming US president Donald Trump vowing to tear it up.
The coalition may seek a quick parliamentary vote to ratify the trade pact in an effort to ramp up pressure on the US to pass it too.
Speculation about the move comes after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull met his Japanese counterpart to discuss the possibility countries in the agreement could ratify it to send a strong message to US lawmakers.
Japan has already ratified the deal ahead of the February 2018 deadline.
But Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says Mr Turnbull should stop wasting his time because Mr Trump won't change his mind.
"Why on earth is Malcolm Turnbull taking us down a frolic on a treaty which the Americans are never going to sign?" he told reporters in Melbourne.
"When you talk about the TPP, it takes two to dance. The Americans aren't even up for the dance."
Mr Turnbull hit back, describing his opponent as a "shallow populist".
"He is a disgrace to the legacy of economic reform that his predecessors as leaders of the Labor party demonstrated, Hawke and Keating in particular," Mr Turnbull told reporters in Toowoomba.
He said it was the job of political leaders to make the case for free trade and support policies that deliver greater access for Australian goods and services to big overseas markets.
The prime minister said there was historic precedent for presidential candidates to campaign against free trade deals, but support them in office.
Trade Minister Steve Ciobo insisted talk of the TPP being dead was premature.
"We just need to give the Americans time for it to work through their system," he told AAP.
"It's time now the Labor party stopped sitting on the fence and made clear their support or otherwise going forward."
Mr Ciobo ruled out Australia agreeing to reopen negotiations on the deal, which took more than seven years to finalise.
The Australian Greens have flagged voting against the deal in the Senate.
"It's time to stop flogging this dead horse and immediately cease all moves towards ratifying the TPP," Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
Independent senator Nick Xenophon says a fast-tracked vote in parliament would be a desperate move from the government.
Australian Council of Trade Unions president Ged Kearney says the prime minister is finding "new and innovative ways to be out of touch".
The trade pact covers Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, New Zealand, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam.
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