Former treasurer Wayne Swan has accused the government of covering the "stench" of unfair budget policies with pomp and ceremony.
Mr Swan made a rare appearance in the parliament from the opposition backbench on Monday to debate government legislation making young people under 25 wait one month for welfare.
He said while the government had abandoned its rhetoric of "lifters and leaners", it has retained a "stingy" plan to withhold benefits and push youth onto a lower rate of payment.
"That's not about job readiness; that's about punishment," Mr Swan said.
Giving small business a tax cut will not create as many jobs for young people as claimed by the government.
"It camouflages the stench of unfairness with stupidity, pomp and ceremony," he said.
Coalition MPs said it was laughable that the former treasurer was stressing the importance of a surplus, given his government left theirs with a deficit.
"He trashed our economy," Liberal MP Sarah Henderson said.
They argued the measures were fair because many will not have to wait at all, such as those returning to study, people with a disability and pregnant women, among others.
Welfare was a safety net, not a lifestyle - and young people should not be encouraged to join the Centrelink dole queue.
"Centrelink is not a one-stop shop for young people," parliamentary secretary Michael McCormack said.
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