Govt addicted to new taxes: Shorten

The federal government is so addicted to new taxes it will bypass the parliament to introduce them, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says.

The government has announced it will use tariff proposals to reintroduce regular hikes in fuel tax, in a move expected to cost average households about 40 cents a week.

The hikes will begin on November 10 but the government will need the support of Labor, the Greens or crossbench senators to validate the change within 12 months.

Mr Shorten said the move came less than 24 hours after Prime Minister Tony Abbott told parliament he wanted a "mature discussion" about tax.

"Yet today he ambushes Australian motorists, ambushes the parliament of Australia and through the back door has launched a sneak attack on the wallets and cost of living of every Australian," Mr Shorten told reporters in Canberra.

"This is outrageous. He doesn't have the courage to take his new taxes to an election. He is desperate to prop up his unfair budget."