The day in federal parliament

TODAY IN FEDERAL PARLIAMENT

* Both the House of Representatives and Senate are sitting a four-day week.

* Question time in both chambers at 2pm.

WHAT'S MAKING NEWS

* The High Court could deal a massive blow to Malcolm Turnbull's one-seat majority government, as it tests whether New Zealand "citizen by descent" Barnaby Joyce can continue to sit in parliament.

* Labor's national secretary insists every member of the federal caucus has been elected properly, as the government considers referring five opposition MPs to the High Court.

* Attorney-General George Brandis has rejected suggestions possible changes to marriage laws could lead to polygamous unions.

* A royal commission has made 85 recommendations, including major legal and policy changes, which it hopes will be adopted across the nation to stamp out child abuse and prosecute more offenders.

* Bill Shorten could face accusations similar to Craig Thomson if it was found the Labor leader gave $100,000 of Australian Worker Union funds to GetUp!

* Labor senator Sam Dastyari has likened the deadly US protests in Charlottesville to the Cronulla riots, saying we shouldn't "kid ourselves" a similar attack couldn't happen here.

WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA

* The House of Reps: MPs debate government legislation including changes to Great Barrier Reef laws; regional investment corporation; imported food control.

* Senate: Senators debate government legislation including for media ownership changes.

* Elsewhere: Coalition joint parties meeting; Labor caucus meets.

ARGY-BARGY

* Government spin: We believe in the economics of opportunity. You work hard, you go to work, you invest, you make a better future for yourself.

* Opposition attack: Now that Barnaby Joyce has been confirmed as a citizen of New Zealand, how can the prime minister keep him in the cabinet and allow him to continue in parliament?

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

"Unwittingly or not, he's a New Zealand citizen." NZ prime minister Bill English of our deputy PM.

TWEETED

@BrianMitchellMP: Bob Katter to be offered Speakership to shore up Govt numbers? Hey - anything could happen with these guys!