Women fill top parliament positions

In a question time when the House of Representatives roof leaked and the heavy hitters were absent at the funeral of cricketer Phillip Hughes, one particular achievement might have escaped notice.

But Speaker Bronwyn Bishop was aware.

The House of Representatives might have made a little bit of history, she said.

For the first time, four key positions in the chamber were occupied by women.

Deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop was filling in for Prime Minister Tony Abbott while deputy opposition leader Tanya Plibersek was acting for Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.

Then there was deputy clerk of the parliament Claressa Surtees and Mrs Bishop in the Speaker's chair.

"Hear, hear," observed some MPs as they departed the chamber at the end of question time.