Politics Live: August 12, 2015

Things have quietened down so I'm going to wrap up.

What happened today?

• Prime Minister Tony Abbott says the people should decide what should happen on marriage equality;
• but it is unclear exactly how they will have their say and when;
• Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says he will continue to push for change before the election;
• Mr Abbott continued to defend the government's climate change targets saying they are economically responsible; and
• it snowed at Parliament House.

Thanks to Andrew Meares and Alex Ellinghausen for their fine work and to you for reading and participating.

Andrew, Alex and I will be back in the morning. Until then we can chat on Facebook.

Otherwise - see you on the other side.

Liberal MPs in other parts of the country are less than impressed by events in the federal area over the past 36 hours.

The Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy says "Australians are just utterly sick of federal politics and I'm not surprised why".

"They are poisoning the well of good will for all other elected politicians in the country."

Go on Mr Guy, tell us what you really think.

New political mothers Amanda Rishworth and Kelly O'Dwyer speak to Lisa Cox about parenting and politics.

Lest anyone think we're just looking at new mothers there are also new fathers in Parliament but their little ones are often with their mothers so they can breastfeed.

It is so lovely to see new parents bonding over the party political divide.

Today's gallery of pictures is now available here.

Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Prime Minister Tony Abbott and the end of question time on Wednesday.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

PS. Earlier on the Speaker asked Mr Abbott to withdraw one of his favourite monikers for the opposition leader - "Carbon Bill". And he did.

Labor never in a bazillion years have achieved that under Mrs Bishop.

Question time ends with a moment's silence to remember former Liberal Party MP Alby Schultz who died last month.

The opposition asks Mr Abbott about his carbon pollution reduction targets.

"We will achieve our targets without smashing jobs and without smashing growth," Mr Abbott says.

"We know you can protect the environment and preserve and protect the economy at the same time. This government will protect people from Labor's economic vandalism."

Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull during question time on Wednesday.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Look carefully at the emojis.

Treasurer Joe Hockey is recalling a recent visit to a small business where the owner gave him some flowers.

Mr Hockey says he can't recall ever being given flowers before.

Environment Minister Greg Hunt in question time on Wednesday.

Question time returns to whether or not the government wants to increase the GST.

Mr Abbott promises: "This is a government which keeps the faith with the people."

I'll leave you to imagine the opposition's reaction.