Australians could vote on carbon tax

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott will lodge a bill in parliament, which if successful, could see Australians vote on a carbon tax.

Mr Abbott will reportedly lodge a bill to force the Labor government to a plebiscite - which if successful would be the first since Australians voted on conscription during World War I.

Mr Abbott told The Daily Telegraph that he believed the independents would support the bill.

"I think if the Prime Minister had any integrity she would seek a mandate at an election for her tax," Mr Abbott told the Daily Telegraph.

"Clearly she is not going to do that," he said.

"The independents don't want an election ... this gives them a chance to have a vote without an election."

Mr Abbott is hoping to win the support of conservative independents Bob Katter and Tony Crook in the lower house.