ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) - Australia’s opposition party has splintered over a contentious bill aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions, with top officials resigning over the party leader’s support for the legislation.

The lack of consensus in the opposition Liberal Party stymied the government’s goal for a Friday Senate vote on the legislation, and the Senate was adjourned until Monday.

Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the government was deeply disappointed that the Liberal Party had failed to honor a deal made by party leader Malcolm Turnbull to pass the legislation, adding: "Australia can’t afford any more delays on climate change."

Australia is one of the world’s worst carbon dioxide polluters per capita because of its heavy reliance on its abundant coal reserves. As the driest continent after Antarctica, it is also considered one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has made climate change issues a priority of his leadership, and said he wants the legislation passed as an example to the world before he attends next month’s U.N. summit in Copenhagen.

Turnbull had pledged his Liberal Party’s support for the bill, but the majority of his party opposes it. They want more time to amend it and with Turnbull refusing to back down, 10 politicians resigned their party positions late Thursday.

Liberal lawmaker Tony Abbott said Friday if Turnbull did not change his mind on the legislation then he would call a leadership challenge on Monday.