As debate continues over an election promise to reduce emissions, the Greens and independents are reminding the Albanese government that Australians voted for meaningful action on climate change.
Parliament is considering the government's proposed changes to the safeguard mechanism, which it hopes to pass in the next two sitting weeks.
The changes apply the mechanism, initiated by the coalition government in 2016, to the nation's 215 biggest emitters and aim to reduce emissions by 205 million tonnes by 2030.
But with the coalition opposing the changes, negotiations are under way with the Greens and crossbenchers to secure their support.
A Greens call to stop opening new coal and gas projects has been ruled out by Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen.
But Greens leader Adam Bandt said Labor's vote had gone backwards at the last election while votes for his party and independents went up because Australians wanted meaningful action on climate change.
"We still have not heard a convincing explanation from the government about why they want to keep opening up coal and gas lines, we are still in discussions ... (and) we will look at all solutions," he told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.
Mr Bandt said the Greens understood they would not get everything they wanted but the government needed to also be flexible on its position.
"We've put an offer on the table and, as we were very clear from the beginning, it was an offer and it wasn't an ultimatum," he said.
Independent MP Sophie Scamps said she was concerned the mechanism would do more to safeguard the future of the fossil fuel industry than it would to safeguard the future of the climate.
She proposed amendments which would impose stringent limits on new fossil fuel projects and guarantee real emissions cuts.
Her amendments would ensure new, expanded or extended fossil fuel projects must have net zero carbon emissions when they start and for their lifetime.
"Australians voted for real and urgent climate action at the last election," she said.
"The changes I am requesting will go some way to ensuring the safeguard mechanism does exactly what it should: reduce emissions from some of Australia's biggest polluters."
© AAP 2023