The Labor Party has tried to hijack the government's political agenda before the Prime Minister could even get to his feet in the House of Representatives.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was preparing to introduce a slew of bills into parliament as the first order of business in the new parliament when Labor disrupted proceedings.
The opposition held up the introduction of the bills for hours by demanding a royal commission into Australia's banking system, accusing the Coalition of running a protection racket.
Although the motion failed, it highlights the Coalition's tiny majority and the fractious nature of the new parliament.
The government faces a tough battle over the contentious bills used to call the double dissolution election - reinstatement of the building and construction monitor and tougher rules on trade unions.
After refusing to negotiate on the bills before the election, Mr Turnbull has now signalled he would consider crossbench amendments to legislation in a bid to win Senate approval.
The Prime Minister has defended not outlining his plans before the election, saying it is not possible to negotiate with Labor.
"It's in the nature of negotiations in the parliament that parties - say, crossbenchers, indeed, or other parties - it might be the opposition, for example, although they are obviously not going to be party to this, they are a wholly owned subsidiary of militant trade unions, as you know. This is not the party of Hawke and Keating, not the party of Neville Wran. It's a very, very different creature than the reformist Labor governments of years past."
Another contentious bill is the government's $6.1 billion so-called omnibus bill, which contains a range of measures Labor agreed to during the eight-week election campaign.
But Labor says the Government has been deceptive by sneaking in three more measures than previously announced.
And the Turnbull government's controversial 10-year economic plan to eventually cut the company tax rate to 25 per cent from 30 per cent will also come under pressure.
Opposition Treasury spokesman Chris Bowen says Mr Turnbull has no sensible economic plan.
"All Malcolm Turnbull has got when it comes to budget repair is a $50 billion hit to the budget bottom line, due to his corporate tax cuts. Well, we are prepared to continue to lead that debate. We'll lead it in the parliament today. We will stand true to our values, which Malcolm Turnbull is unable to do, and we will deliver the alternative agenda, which Malcolm Turnbull is unable to do."
There are also a number of other bills that may cause a headache for the government.
A group of lower house MPs has announced plans to reintroduce into parliament a cross-party marriage equality bill.
That comes as Labor is planning to introduce a similar bill.
Deputy Greens leader Adam Bandt says the Prime Minister cannot ignore the opposition to the government's plan for a plebiscite.
"Malcolm Turnbull needs to understand there's every chance that a bill to establish a plebiscite won't get through parliament, but that a bill to enact marriage equality could get through parliament. The only barrier is him not allowing a free vote amongst his members. And once Malcolm Turnbull comes to the realisation that he won't be able to enact his election promise of a plebiscite, then the question is, 'What's he going to do next?'"
In the Senate, Coalition MPs are defying the Prime Minister over race hatred laws.
Liberal senator Cory Bernardi has signed up every government backbench senator except one to a motion that would rewrite section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act.
Labor senator Penny Wong says it is an indication of Mr Turnbull's fundamental inability to run the Government.
"The first week, the first sitting day of the parliament after the election, and it is clear that Prime Minster Turnbull has no authority. He might have a sign on his door, but he's not actually the leader. What he's facing is a revolt from the backbench when it comes to watering down the Racial Discrimination Act. He's been forced into a plebiscite on marriage equality, which we know he doesn't support. The leadership he's providing is weakness."
Meanwhile, the Coalition will support a move by Labor for the Senate privileges committee to investigate whether leaked National Broadband Network documents seized by federal police should remain locked up.
Labor wants to prevent the Australian Federal Police from using the seized documents in their investigation by claiming parliamentary privilege over the documents.
