The head of the Federal Government's new Climate Change Commission says he is saddened by the Opposition's response to the body.

Scientist Tim Flannery has been chosen to chair the commission, which will help build community support for putting a price on carbon.

The Opposition says the Government is using the body to justify its plans to push up power prices.

Coalition climate action spokesman Greg Hunt says the public will question what value for money they will get from the $5.6 million body.

"The Climate Commission is just another piece in Labor's jigsaw puzzle to try to justify their plan for an electricity tax," he said in a statement.

"Australians should get used to this Government trotting out a steady stream of reports and committees dedicated to their plan for higher power prices."

But Professor Flannery says the Commission is independent.

"I was a bit sad to read that, because I think we are genuinely independent," he said.

"We don't take advice from the Minister. Our role, really, is just to get a little bit more clarity and understanding in the public around these big issues.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/11/3135856.htm