Tony Abbott's team used its first question time on the government benches to launch a prolonged attack on Labor's record and pressure Bill Shorten over the carbon tax repeal and debt ceiling bills.
However, the prime minister himself put in a relatively subdued performance, "humbly" urging the opposition to respect the coalition's mandate - just a few hours after he introduced legislation to unwind Labor's tax.
"The repeal of the carbon tax should be the first economic reform of this parliament," Mr Abbott told parliament on Wednesday.
The opposition is refusing to support the scrapping of the tax unless it is replaced by an emissions trading scheme, rather than Mr Abbott's so-called direct action policy.
Opposition Leader Mr Shorten accused Mr Abbott of failing to give Australians the government they voted for, attacking it over plans to raise the debt ceiling, the secrecy surrounding asylum seeker boats and tensions in the relationship with Indonesia.
"Why isn't the prime minister delivering the government he promised voters he would at the election?" he said.
But the coalition didn't miss an opportunity to highlight Labor's record in government.
Treasurer Joe Hockey delivered a fiery performance as he called on Labor to support his plan to raise the debt ceiling to $500 billion. Labor wants debt capped at $400 billion, arguing the government hasn't explained why it needs more than that.
"The tenants trashed the joint and now we're trying to fix it," the treasurer said. "And the biggest impediment is the Labor Party, addicted to debt and deficit."
Labor also took aim at Immigration and Border Security Minister Scott Morrison over asylum seeker boats, but he was unapologetic.
"Each time members opposite wish to bring these matters in this place, I will remind them of the carnage they delivered on our borders," Mr Morrison said.
Opposition immigration spokesman Richard Marles said Mr Morrison's refusal to respond to parliamentary questions on reports a boat carrying people from Somalia had arrived this week in Darwin was "simply breathtaking".
"The Australian people deserve to know what is happening on our borders," Mr Marles said.
Earlier, Mr Abbott's carbon tax bills were delayed by a debate about whether the government's nickname for Mr Shorten - "Electricity Bill" - was parliamentary.
New Speaker Bronwyn Bishop decided the nickname was within the rules.
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