The opposition had sought a longer inquiry that would incorporate a detailed examination of the government's $2.9 billion "direct action" plan to pay companies to cut pollution.

That would have strung the process out into next year and avoided Labor having to show its hand and either vote down the repeal laws, as expected, or cave into Prime Minister Tony Abbott's demands for the party to respect his election mandate to do away with the carbon tax.

If the repeal bills are blocked, Mr Abbott will move a step closer to having the conditions to call a double dissolution election, although he is not expected to do so, with a friendlier senate in which anti-carbon-price minor parties and Clive Palmer will hold the balance of power from July next year.

After the Greens voted with the government, Labor senator Louise Pratt tweeted: ''Can not believe the Greens are voting with the Coalition for a quick and dirty Senate inquiry into the Climate Bills. It needs to be longer.''

Her colleague Kate Lundy added: ''Disappointing & strange to see Greens vote with Coalition to reduce scrutiny on the Carbon Tax Repeal bills.''