Senate vote on carbon tax before midday

The government has successfully passed a motion to force the Senate to start voting on the carbon tax repeal before noon on Thursday.

Senators will start voting on government legislation abolishing the carbon tax before midday on Thursday.

The government won crossbench backing to force an urgent vote, after rookie senator Ricky Muir crucially sided with his Palmer United allies.

As a result, votes on a package of eight repeal bills will begin at 11.50am (AEST).