Question time in federal parliament

QUESTION TIME IN FEDERAL PARLIAMENT

WHAT WE LEARNED

* Opposition Leader Bill Shorten once said lowering the tax rate for smaller business only - now Labor policy - created artificial incentives for businesses to downsize, cabinet minister Christian Porter reminded MPs.

* From every tourism dollar, 45 cents is spent in regional areas, Tourism Minister Steve Ciobo revealed.

WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WANTED TO SPIN

Jobs, wages, electricity and gas prices, tackling the cost of living for households, families and businesses the issues that matter most to Australians. And that is our focus.

WHAT LABOR WANTED TO TALK ABOUT

Can the prime minister guarantee he is leading a majority government that meets all the requirements of the constitution?

THEY SAID WHAT

"Would the minister for foreign affairs please tell the house some more about the evil, treacherous conspiracy she has exposed." - Labor frontbencher Tony Burke has some fun at the expense of Julie Bishop.

TWEETED

@TimWattsMP: Someone in the press gallery should throw Julie Bishop a life preserver.

@SenatorMurrayWatt: Yesterday, Turnbull went to war with NZ. Today, with the Yarra Council. Tomorrow, the Coonabarabran Bridge Club?