The day in federal parliament

TODAY IN FEDERAL PARLIAMENT

* Both the House of Representatives and Senate are sitting this week.

* The coalition party room debates changes to race-hate speech laws that threaten to divide conservative and moderate MPs.

* The lower house debates measures to combat multinational tax avoidance.

* Question time in both chambers at 2pm (AEDT).

WHAT'S MAKING NEWS

* The government is poised to make an announcement on race hate laws that will abolish the words "insult" and "offend" after cabinet signed off on changes.

* One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts has compared Queensland to Saudi Arabia insisting Christians are being persecuted.

* Derryn Hinch will vote against proposed welfare cuts in the government's omnibus bill, despite supporting the bulk of its proposed childcare reforms.

* Doctors fear the axe is about to fall on Medicare-funded, after-hours visits to millions of Australian households each year.

* Independent MP Bob Katter is "very confident" both houses of parliament will support a commission of inquiry into the banks he is designing with Nationals MP George Christensen.

* Police and other agencies could be deterred from proposing new counter-terrorism laws because of the long political process involved, an expert warns

WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA

* House of Reps: MPs debate government legislation including measures to combat multinational tax avoidance; simplifying student payments; company tax cuts.

* Senate: Senators debate government legislation on interactive gambling; changes to broadcast media rules; measures to combat serious or organised crime in the transport sector.

COMPETING ARGUMENTS

* Government spin: There is a culture of deceit within the trade union movement - selling out the workers, trading away rights in return for membership and in return for cash - and we will put a stop to it.

* Opposition attack: Why won't the prime minister use his power to stop the pay of almost 700,000 workers from being cut?

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

"This is a direct and astonishing assault on Christianity. Our world has gone mad." - One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts compares Queensland to Saudi Arabia.

"There's all these reports about a massive split, that's a load of rubbish." - Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce on talk the coalition will split over changes to race-hate speech laws.

TWEETED

@Tony-Burke: Gov chose International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to announce giving permission for racial insults. #18C