Question time in federal parliament

QUESTION TIME IN FEDERAL PARLIAMENT

WHAT WE LEARNED

* Under the coalition there have been 17 million more bulk-billed Medicare consultations than any previous Labor government, Health Minister Sussan Ley revealed.

* Economic policies that increase the earnings of Australians, increase government revenue, Treasurer Scott Morrison said as he reminded Labor MPs they were members of the High Tax Club.

* Malcolm Turnbull related a conversation he had with mental health expert Patrick McGorry in which the professor agreed with the prime minister's proposition that Australians were able to have a civil discussion about gay marriage. But McGorry was concerned there were some "small elements, sub-groups ... which would be intemperate in their conduct".

* Australia will beat its 2020 carbon emissions reduction target by 78 million tonnes, the PM predicted.

* The attorney-general and the solicitor-general both enjoy the confidence of the prime minister, despite a public stoush between the nation's most senior law officers.

WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WANTED TO SPIN

All the good things about the Australia-Singapore relationship.

WHAT LABOR WANTED TO TALK ABOUT

Why hasn't the government done anything about reversing its Medicare cuts; when will the PM allow a free vote in parliament on same-sex marriage.

THEY SAID WHAT

"Nice to be popular, Mr Speaker."

- Former PM Tony Abbott responds to the cheers and applause of Labor MPs as he asks his first question since returning to the backbench a year ago.

"You've octupled it."

- Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek reminds the treasurer of the budget deficit position.

"Are we going to say that we may not have a public debate on a topic when it is alleged that there will be a minority, some small groups, that will act intemperately?

- PM chides Opposition Leader Bill Shorten over Labor's rejection of a plebiscite on same-sex marriage.

"The Member for Maribyrnong might be wearing an orange tie but he should get a gold tie for playing politics."

- Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce also takes aim at Shorten.

TWEETED

@TimWatts MP: "You've blown out the budget by a factor of eight ScoMo. You need both hands to count it."