Treasurer Wayne Swan has branded the opposition "gutless" on climate change, saying the issue has become a tool for leadership jostling.
Coalition MPs are meeting in Canberra tomorrow and Wednesday to formulate a policy response to the Rudd government's carbon emissions trading model.
Division among Liberal MPs has exacerbated lingering leadership tensions.
Mr Swan said today the opposition should face up to the problem of climate change.
"The Liberals are so gutless they can't even front up to the problem," he told reporters.
"And now it's become the tool of various forces in the party room in their jostling for the leadership."
"This is too important an issue for Australia to be subject to that sort of treatment in the Liberal Party."
Mr Swan defended the government's plan for emissions trading in the face of criticism it was too rushed and will jeopardise the economy.
"Going carbon clean is a growth strategy for the future and a prosperity strategy," he said.
"We're not going to shy away from taking the tough long-term decisions that are required to underpin the future prosperity of this economy and this society."
