Environment minister Greg Hunt announces that the government will introduce legislation to repeal the carbon tax in the first week of parliament.

THE Abbott government yesterday has escalated its threats of a double dissolution election if Labor blocks its carbon tax repeal, declaring it will be "relentless" and not wait until the formation of a new senate.

Environment Minister Greg Hunt flagged he would ask Labor to support the abolition of the carbon tax with a vote before Christmas, declaring it the first test for new Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.

But amid speculation Labor may abstain from the vote in the senate, Mr Shorten signalled he would not vote for the repeal, saying Labor believed in carbon pricing and noting caucus would decide once the legislation emerged.

The government is close to releasing draft laws on the carbon tax repeal for consultation ahead of them being introduced as its first act after the opening of federal parliament, expected in the second week of November.

It is understood the government may even hold four sitting weeks, extending the sitting year into December instead of the normal November finish.

Ramping up the pressure on the new leader, Mr Hunt said Mr Shorten stood between Australians and lower power prices.

"We want to get this done now," he said. "All options are on the table and we will be relentless in carrying out our commitment to repeal the carbon tax.

"The test for the ALP caucus today is whether or not they will listen to the Australian people or whether they will just continue to thumb their nose at the people of Australia who voted."

But Mr Shorten said he was more worried about political parties not worrying about the future than the prospect of a snap election.

"We are not interested in repealing a price on carbon pollution, full stop," he said.

"I don't support the Coalition putting off until tomorrow and next week and next year tackling issues of climate change and carbon pollution and leaving this issue for our kids to solve."

Labor and the Greens have the numbers in the upper house to block the laws until June 30 before an expected more compliant, right-leaning senate begins.

Liberal Parliamentary secretary Steve Ciobo said Labor wasn't listening to voters who had clearly voted for the scrapping of the tax.

"We've indicated we will go to a double dissolution, and we'll get the Australian people to have their say for a second time,' he said.

Greens leader Christine Milne called for Mr Shorten to hold his ground on carbon pricing, saying "the writing is on the wall'' regarding climate change given the extreme fires, floods, droughts and heatwaves.

"Tony Abbott may have a mandate to lead the government of the nation, but he doesn't have one to stand by and watch it swelter and burn,'' she said.

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