Question time in federal parliament

WHAT WE LEARNED

- The government has sent more than 800,000 notices under its controversial "robo-debt" program, with 80 per cent resulting in money being clawed back from Centrelink recipients.

- Health Minister Greg Hunt granted a Medicare MRI licence to a clinic operated by the vice-president of the Liberal Party in South Australia.

- A string of cabinet ministers sidled up to the dispatch box to promote local road and environment projects.

WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WANTED TO SPIN

* The coalition is focused on delivering local grants and investing in projects to upgrade schools, roads, parks and waterways.

WHAT LABOR WANTED TO TALK ABOUT

* The government granted an MRI medical license to an Adelaide radiology clinic, whose chief executive is the vice-president of the South Australian branch of the Liberal Party.

WHAT THEY SAID

"All politics is local, as it should be." - Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.

"Out there in voterland, they're just watching a couple of mouths move." - Speaker Tony Smith.

"We're not going to be lectured to by Sir Tax-a-Lot over there." - Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, referring to opposition treasury spokesman Jim Chalmers.