Federal Labor leader Bill Shorten denies his party has adopted the same negative tactics the coalition used in opposition.
Labor, along with the Greens, has stalled the Abbott government's carbon tax repeal bill in the Senate with a vote now unlikely before parliament rises for the long summer break on Thursday.
Labor also opposes a range of other government measures, including repeal of the minerals resource rent tax.
When asked whether Labor was earning a reputation as "wreckers and naysayers" Mr Shorten told ABC Television:
"We just don't abandon our supporters because Tony Abbott stamps his foot."
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He defended the right of the Senate to scrutinise government legislation.
Just because the coalition won the September election did not make Mr Abbott "boss of Australia for life".
The government on Wednesday failed in its bid to have the Senate sit indefinitely until votes were taken on coalition legislation.
