Parliament question time highlights

QUESTION TIME IN FEDERAL PARLIAMENT

THE SYRIAN CRISIS: Prime Minister Tony Abbott sets the tone with grave words about the "diabolical situation" in Syria. "This is a humanitarian catastrophe, an absolute humanitarian catastrophe and obviously the people of Syria are currently caught between the mass executions of the Daesh death cult on the one hand, and the chemical weapons of the Assad regime on the other." The government's firm intention was to take a "significant number" of people from Syria this year. "When the world is in trouble, Australia responds. Australia is a good, global citizen. In fact, we are an exemplary global citizen and we will act in character here as we always do."

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten responds by saying words of sympathy are not enough. "Surely we can see that our compassion demands action." He renews his pre-question time call for the PM to hold a bipartisan emergency meeting of state leaders, community and religious representatives to work towards 10,000 extra places for Syrian refugees. "It is now the turn of members of this parliament to step up to go above and beyond."

WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WANTED TO SPIN: The economic benefits of a coalition government after two years. The three-minute time limit was more than enough time for the PM to rattle off the achievements.

WHAT LABOR WANTED TO TALK ABOUT: The humanitarian crisis in Syria. Will the PM commit to providing an extra $100 million in aid, asks deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek. Abbott handballs the question to Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop who outlines Australia's response so far. She notes that some countries who pledged support have not stumped up with the readies, unlike Australia. "Already our $156 million is one of the lead contributions," she says. Plibersek reminds her that $100 million of that was provided by Labor in government.

CUPS KING: MPs pay tribute to the late Bart Cummings, who, the PM says, is arguably Australia's greatest racehorse trainer. "Twelve Melbourne Cups he had to his name ... more than twice as many as any other rival." Shorten labels Cummings a "gentleman of the turf and the king of the sport of kings".

THEY SAID WHAT:

"We cannot save the world single-handedly but we will always do what we can to help," Abbott on the Syrian crisis.

"Let us live up to the standard that we have always set for ourselves, as the land of the second chance and the home of the fair go for all," Shorten on the same subject.

"Get out of the road and let this agreement go through," Trade Minister Andrew Robb implores Labor MPs on their opposition to the China free-trade deal.

ACROSS THE CHAMBER:

"What a coward," says Labor MP Pat Conroy of PM's decision to defer a shipping question to Infrastructure Minister Warren Truss.

"Is that a Prince Philip plan?" Labor MP Graham Perrett says after Abbott spruiks his "plans" two years into government.

"Please, this is a serious issue," Julie Bishop to Tanya Plibersek complaining her question was to PM.

"Steve! Where's the hand? In the pocket?" Liberal MP Ewen Jones pokes fun at Labor MP Stephen Jones for not doing his signature hand gestures.

TWEETED:

"Abbott inviting everyone to reminisce about the happy day his Govt was elected. `We had a plan,' he begins, then pauses a tad too long," @JamesJeffrey.

"Every second birthday party ends with a tantrum. The terrible twos," Labor frontbencher Tony Burke.