The federal government's plan for emissions trading could hit a brick wall in the Senate, as opposition politicians attack the scheme from all sides.
Climate Change Minister Penny Wong is caught in a tug-of-war between the coalition - which thinks the scheme is too tough - and the Australian Greens, who think it is too soft.
Any legislation will need the support of the opposition or, failing that, the combined backing of five Greens senators, Family First's Steve Fielding and independent Nick Xenophon.
Senator Wong today scotched talk that a climate impasse could trigger a double dissolution of parliament.
"It's certainly jumping the gun, but can I say we will put forward what we believe is a responsible scheme that's in the national interest," she told reporters in Canberra.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd acknowledged it would not be easy.
"Well, we will be attacked from both the left and the right," he told Sky News.
The government is seeking to put pressure on the opposition to support the emissions trading scheme - due to begin in 2010 - and to capitalise on the coalition's mixed messages on climate change.
Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson has criticised the scheme, warning it would unfairly target middle-income earners and push up petrol prices.
But opposition climate change spokesman Greg Hunt said the government had copied the Liberals' model.
"Basically, what they've done is they've dusted off the document that we had, adhered to what we said on a short-term approach to petrol, but they've sold out on the long term," Mr Hunt told Fairfax Radio Network.
Nick Minchin, leader of the opposition in the Senate, said the coalition would consider the emissions laws in detail and send them to a Senate committee for examination.
"We're not going to be bullied or rushed," he told ABC Radio.
The Greens are more willing to deal with the government - despite their concerns the scheme is too kind to coal.
"We will negotiate in good faith on the measures necessary to avoid dangerous climate change," Greens spokeswoman Christine Milne told AAP.
"I have every hope that the government will also negotiate in good faith."
Senator Fielding said he had doubts about emissions trading, warning families could bear the brunt, interest rates could rise and the scheme could lead to an "emissions trade recession".
Meanwhile, Mr Rudd has hinted the government's controversial move to means-test a rebate for household solar panels will be reviewed.
Earlier this year, the $8,000 rebate was restricted to households earning less than $100,000, angering environmentalists and the opposition.
Mr Rudd said the government would roll out energy efficiency measures for homes as part of emissions trading.
"On the solar panels point ... all these renewable energy arrangements, particularly those affecting households, are very much in the mix as we now approach the assistance that will help households," he told Fairfax Radio.
Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan said the inflationary impact of emissions trading was unlikely to force the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to lift interest rates. The cost of living is tipped to rise by 0.9 per cent in the scheme's first year.
"(Reserve Bank) Governor (Glenn) Stevens has made some commentary in public on this issue and he's made the very simple point that the one-off impact of a carbon pollution reduction scheme would be 'looked through' by the reserve bank," Mr Swan told ABC Radio.
Senator Wong said emissions trading would not add to the cost of liquefied petroleum gas for motorists. Diesel will also not rise in price.
