Parliament question time highlights

QUESTION TIME IN FEDERAL PARLIAMENT

THE SYRIAN CRISIS: Why are we offering 12,000 additional resettlement places to people fleeing the conflict in Syria and Iraq, as well as offering $44 million to support those stranded in refugee camps, and allowing RAAF planes to hit Islamic State targets in Syria, Prime Minister Tony Abbott asked in parliament. "We're doing this because people are suffering," he told MPs. "We have seen on our screens what the Daesh death cult has done. We have seen the beheadings, the crucifixions, the mass execution, the sexual slavery. We have recoiled in horror from our screens as we have seen the new and ever more barbaric ways of killing people that this death cult has devised."

Bill Shorten offered the PM Labor's support: "We welcome the government's move as an expression of the generous, decent and open-hearted Australia that we all love and serve."

WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WANTED TO SPIN: How the China-Australia free trade agreement will deliver on the government's plan for a strong and prosperous future for all Australians. PM spruiked independent modelling that estimates FTAs with China, Japan and South Korea will add $25 billion to Australia's GDP over the next two decades.

WHAT LABOR WANTED TO TALK ABOUT: How the China-Australia free trade agreement will deliver ... "Why does the prime minister keep misleading Australians about the agreement which sells out Aussie jobs?" Shorten asked the PM. Abbott responds with both barrels, referring to a "nasty, angry" speech that the opposition leader gave in parliament on Tuesday that "peddled the racist lies" of the CFMEU.

THEY SAID WHAT:

"What have they got against China?" PM chides Labor MPs over their opposition to the free-trade deal.

"Swanny, your talent has never been properly recognised. You broke every record that would have broken. You're missed!" Treasurer Joe Hockey baits Labor's Wayne Swan - once voted the world's best finance minister.

"It is yet another no-fuss day for the Queen," monarchist Tony Abbott recognises the monarch's record of 63 years, seven months and four days of service.

ACROSS THE CHAMBER:

"He'll be back," Labor's Anthony Albanese as Speaker acknowledges former independent MP Tony Windsor in the gallery.

"Don't get too friendly! He gave you Julia Gillard," Hockey tells Labor MPs waving to welcome back Windsor.

"I thank beaver over there for the interjection," Social Services Minister Scott Morrison hits back at Labor's Pat Conroy.

"You really have overwhelming support from the backbench there, Joe," Conroy tells treasurer with coalition MPs largely silent as he talks about the economy.

TWEETED:

"Beth from Green Point emailed me about the crisis, saying `do more'. Today, we have," Liberal MP Lucy Wicks about the Syrian crisis.

"Well done to everyone who stood up for compassion. You changed a government's mind," Greens MP Adam Bandt.

"Who stole Bob Katter's pronouns and conjunctions?" Labor MP Andrew Giles on one of the Member for Kennedy's convoluted and incomprehensible questions without notice.

"Prime minister for mission creep, with an opposition still missing in action," Greens senator Scott Ludlam.