Question time in federal parliament

WHAT WE LEARNED

- 3.5 million Australians have already lodged their tax returns, up 25 per cent on the same time last year, with $4.1 billion being paid out by the tax office.

WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WANTED TO SPIN

Unlawful conduct on construction sites is bad for worker safety, jobs and the economy.

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WHAT LABOR WANTED TO TALK ABOUT

Energy Minister Angus Taylor has more to explain about an allegation of not making a proper pecuniary interest declaration.

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WHAT THEY SAID

"Unparliamentary language cannot be introduced by way of a quote ... be mindful of the audience." - Speaker Tony Smith on Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter using the term "effing dog", quoting a union official.

"What we have here is a situation where the character of (construction union boss) John Setka is now rejected fulsomely by Labor, but his cash is still warmly accepted." - Porter.

"When will work on the Rockhampton ring road commence?" - Labor MP Milton Dick. "Work is phased in." - Response from Transport Minister Michael McCormack.

"They stole three goats from the property. Goodness knows what they did with them." - McCormack on environmental activists.

"The minister is going to have to come clean eventually." - Labor frontbencher Terri Butler to Angus Taylor, who is caught up in a furore over a March 2017 meeting about grasslands.