THE opposition has called on Julia Gillard to apologise for her "public deception" after a document distributed to Labor MPs revealed that she had asked them to soften voters up for a carbon tax campaign.
A talking points brief has also issued orders for MPs to deny Labor is in a power-sharing deal with the Australian Greens, as the Prime Minister tries to sell her carbon tax plan.

Political parties routinely distribute talking point briefs to MPs, providing them with suggested lines to use in interviews or public forums.

The Australian was yesterday leaked what was purported to be the latest such document.

Opposition climate spokesman Greg Hunt said the government's denial a carbon tax advertising campaign was in the works was "a collective act of public deception"."Every member of the ALP caucus knows that there will be an advertising campaign and every caucus member is engaged in a cover-up of that fact," he said. "This is a level of contempt rarely seen in Australian governance and the Prime Minister should apologise for the co-ordinated deceit."

A spokesman for Ms Gillard refused to comment on the document, but it includes dozens of political points that Labor MPs have been using all week.