Labor to quiz Dutton's 'fake refugees' deportations threat

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton can expect to be questioned on his new attack on illegal arrivals who have failed to do the necessary paperwork to gain asylum in Australia, calling them "fake refugees".

MPs return to Canberra today for two weeks of sittings in the lower house and Senate estimates hearings after the May 9 budget.

Mr Dutton has set a deadline of October 1 for illegal arrivals to get their claims in after years of refusal or face deportation.

Labor will use the Senate hearings to get to the bottom of what it sees as an arbitrary deadline.

Immigration, border protection, regional deals on refugee resettlement and visas will be on the agenda for the legal committee on Monday and Tuesday.

Budget bills will be debated in the House of Representatives today.

Proceedings kick-off with a debate on a Labor bill to protect penalty rates as the Fair Work Commission decides how to implement its cuts to penalties for retail, hospitality and pharmacy workers.