Liberal MPs are denying that Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson's job is under threat after his apparent backdown on emissions trading at yesterday's shadow cabinet meeting.

Last week Dr Nelson foreshadowed he would push for a tougher policy on a carbon trading scheme, in direct opposition to leadership rival Malcolm Turnbull. 

However, yesterday's shadow cabinet meeting decided to go back to the policy the Coalition took to the last election, which is strongly supported by Mr Turnbull. 

Dr Nelson had appeared to be moving away from committing to a start date for the scheme, but now says the Coalition would support a scheme starting in 2012. 

Coalition Closes Ranks On Emissions Trading 

meanwhile, in a galaxy far, far away ……

Queensland Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg has met his federal counterpart Brendan Nelson for the first time since the merger of the state's Liberal and National parties.

Mr Springborg says he had dinner with Dr Nelson in Canberra last night and held further talks this morning with Queensland federal MPs, who are members of the new Liberal-National Party (LNP). 

Mr Springborg says Dr Nelson has always supported the merger. 

'Of course there's always issues of a little bit of detail, but the important thing is that Brendan is absolutely onside and certainly will now be very much supporting the formal ratification of it when the federal Liberal Party have their executive meeting within the next week,' Mr Springborg said.

Nelson Onside With LNP Merger: Springborg 

whilst more aliens are sighted …..

Peter Costello might not want the Liberal leadership, but according to the latest opinion poll, he certainly has the numbers. 

The former treasurer has strong voter support to lead the Liberal Party, with the latest Newspoll showing his figures more than double that of current leader Brendan Nelson.

Mr Costello has 41 per cent support in the latest poll, Mr Nelson 18 per cent and Malcolm Turnbull 24 per cent. 

Support for the high-profile Liberal backbencher has nearly doubled since December, when it was recorded at just 23 per cent, the poll published in The Australian newspaper shows. 

Mr Costello has been the focus of continued leadership speculation, with senior Liberals reportedly wanting him to take over the top job to improve the coalition's flagging fortunes. 

Mr Costello has been silent about his future since the coalition's election loss last year, when he said he would retire to the back bench and seek a career outside politics.

His silence has paradoxically led to speculation he would quit politics, or take over the Liberal leadership. 

However, while voters would prefer him as leader, they say it would have little bearing on their voting intentions. 

Costello Preferred Lib Leader