Prime Minister Julia Gillard has slammed Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's decision to break an agreement on parliamentary reform.
Ms Gillard fronted a press conference at Parliament House, saying she had just gotten off the phone with Mr Abbott "minutes earlier".
She says the Opposition Leader "will not honour the pairing section of the agreement" that deals with the position of Speaker of the House.
"Mr Abbott has indicated to me that he intends to break his word," the Prime Minister says.
Ms Gillard called the agreement "a matter of honour", saying "if you're prepared to keep your word, then you can keep your word."
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"The Leader of the Opposition has effectively said to me and said to the Australian people that his word is worthless," the Prime Minister says.
"My intention is to bring to this government a spirit of goodwill and determination to get things done," Ms Gillard says.
After her discussion with Mr Abbott, Ms Gillard says she's worried that the Opposition Leader's attitude to the new parliament will be "what he can wreck rather than what he can achieve".
The debate over the Speaker's position comes after the Attorney-General declared the Speaker could "pair" with either major party to vote on policy.
Parliamentary reforms, including those dealing with the position of Speaker, had been negotiated and agreed on by both major parties while key independents decided who to back to form a minority government.
The Prime Minister also listed what issues will be discussed in the first sitting week of the new parliament.
She says the government will be introducing 30 new bills in the first week, including legislation on aviation security, preventative health and fighting organised crime.
