The Australian reports:
TONY Abbott appears likely to secure the numbers in the new Senate to repeal the carbon tax and mining tax in a significant win for his policy agenda.
But he could fail to legislate his $2.8 billion “direct action” plan to cut carbon emissions, according to early objections from those likely to share the balance of power in the upper house.
As Mr Abbott urged the Senate’s minor parties to respect his election mandate, his allies insisted yesterday the Coalition agenda would survive the challenging new Senate, arguing it would be easier to negotiate with six or more independents than with Labor and the Greens.