Hockey will never deliver a surplus: Bowen

The deterioration in Treasurer Joe Hockey's second budget indicates he will never hand down a surplus, shadow treasurer Chris Bowen says.

It's a familiar line the coalition repeatedly hurled at former Labor treasurer Wayne Swan, and now it's Joe Hockey's turn.

Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen says the government's own budget figures show the deficit has doubled in the past 12 months.

"Joe Hockey will never deliver a budget surplus, and nor will Scott Morrison if he succeeds him," Mr Bowen told ABC radio on Wednesday.