Scott Morrison has defended his government's approach to climate change as centrist, following criticism by Malcolm Turnbull that the Coalition continues to be held hostage by zealots who regard the issue as one of religion rather than science.

At the same time, Labor leader Anthony Albanese dismissed Resources Minister Matt Canavan as "a boy'' after the Nationals senator challenged the Labor leader to unambiguously support the Adani coal mine during his Queensland tour this week.