The new plans for a carbon tax imply a secret deal between Labor and the Greens has been struck, according to Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.

While Prime Minister Julia Gillard before the election ruled out using a tax to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Climate Change Minister Greg Combet on Wednesday said the development of a carbon price would be his focus during this term of government.

Mr Combet said the Government is determined to put a price on carbon and the new parliamentary committee on climate change will consider all options.

"In the political reality in the formation of the Government, the circumstances are a bit different than we anticipated," he said.

Mr Abbott slammed Gillard's reverse of policy, saying it meant the current government was based on a lie.

"The carbon tax is the first product of the secret deal between the Labor Party and the Greens, which has enabled the current government to be formed," he said.

"What that means is that this government is essentially based on a lie.

"There has been a fundamental breach of faith with the Australian people, and this fundamental breach of faith will haunt this government from now until its ultimate demise."

This morning Opposition environment spokesman Greg Hunt said it was clear the Prime Minister's pre-election promise meant nothing.

"It was false, it was untrue, it was a fraud on the Australian public," he said.