The federal opposition used the first parliamentary sitting since the budget surplus was dumped to attack the government's economic record, as Labor declared it was putting jobs first.

The economy dominated the first question time of the election year on Tuesday as Prime Minister Julia Gillard unveiled her new-look frontbench, featuring Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus and Defence Materiel Minister Mike Kelly.

But the day for Labor wasn't all clear sailing after new testimony to a NSW corruption inquiry into the dealings of the family of former NSW Labor powerbroker Eddie Obeid referred to federal ministers Bill Shorten and Tony Burke.

With the coalition holding a clear lead over Labor in the polls, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott had earlier told the first joint party room meeting of 2013 MPs could be "confident and optimistic but never arrogant" about victory.

Mr Abbott said all members needed to be strong and measured in their criticism of the government and avoid any "personal snideness".

The warning appeared to be quickly forgotten as question time began.

"I was hoping everyone had had a nice break and we could all play nicely, but obviously not," Speaker Anna Burke said during a rowdy bout of questioning.

Shadow treasurer Joe Hockey was prevented from tabling two large bundles of documents detailing more than 500 occasions when Ms Gillard and Treasurer Wayne Swan promised a budget surplus for 2012/13.

"This is what Labor does - it completely trashes the joint, tries to claim the high moral ground and leaves Australians to pick up the pieces and pay the bills," Mr Hockey told parliament.

Mr Hockey, who has lost weight through stomach surgery and a new fitness and diet regime, had earlier told his party room the coalition had a plan to bring the budget back to surplus.

"If I'm prepared to do this to my waist, think what I'm prepared to do about Labor waste," he said.

Ms Gillard told parliament the government was facing huge writedowns in taxation revenues.

"It needs to be accounted for, obviously by the government, but it also needs to be accounted for by the opposition if it wants to be taken seriously in any sort of economic debate," Ms Gillard said.

She said Labor was focusing on jobs and growth in the economy.

The government had a strong track record of job creation, but also needed to consider policies such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme which would "protect people from the risks of a lifetime".

As well, Mr Shorten and Mr Burke became the first federal ministers to be mentioned at the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption hearing in Sydney.

Mr Obeid said he had extended hospitality at his family's ski lodge at Perisher to many political friends including the ministers.

Mr Burke said he had stayed in an apartment owned by Mr Obeid on two occasions between 2004 and 2006 - before federal Labor won office.

Mr Shorten's spokesman told AAP the minister had never been to Perisher "and cannot ski".

The opposition also on Tuesday argued government agencies shouldn't sign major contracts because Labor was effectively in "caretaker" period since the election date was announced last week.

Mr Dreyfus said the caretaker period would not start until the lower house was dissolved in August, adding the coalition was being "irresponsible".