Politics Live: March 24, 2015

Okay, that's it for back to work Tuesday.

What happened?

• the government's stocks continue to improve according to the latest Newspoll;
• questions have been raised about Prime Minister Tony Abbott's use of a taxpayer funded flight to attend the birthday party of a Liberal Party donor at the weekend;
• there is a casual vacancy in the Senate following the resignation of Queenslander Brett Mason;
• the Senate is debating the government's data retention legislation; and
• the Opposition wants to know if there is any merit in regulating the sharing economy.

But the party room did receive a PowerPoint presentation about the budget by Treasurer Joe Hockey.

The government has further downgraded its pledge to fix the budget with Mr Hockey now promising a surplus "as soon and possible".

"We will get the budget back to surplus as soon as possible," the presentation says.

"All new spending will be offset by savings that are responsible and fair."

Liberal Democrat Senator David Leyonhjelm's private member's bill on same sex marriage will be debated on Thursday.

He is angy that the Coalition party room didn't discuss it this morning.

"There is no doubt that Australia, like much of the rest of the developed world, is on the road to marriage equality. I encourage Mr Abbott to aspire to being something other than an historical speedbump," Senator Leyonhjelm said in a statement.

"I remind the Prime Minister that he is on the record both prior to his election and after it that marriage equality would be a matter for his party room. I challenge him once again to honour his word."

The government has been zeroing in on Mr Shorten in question time. Almost regardless of what the opposition asks or who asks it the government minister, whoever it is, brings it back to Mr Shorten.

The government is trying to make stick the idea that Mr Shorten has no policies.

Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull suggested this morning (see 10.24 am post) that the case is starting to show up in the opinion polls.

Treasurer Joe Hockey during question time on Tuesday.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Too good not to use.

Leader of the House Christopher Pyne at the end of question time on Tuesday.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Question time is at an end.

Greens' deputy leader Adam Bandt wants to make a statement (see 2.45 pm post).

He says the statement attributed to him was "simply untrue".

Prime Minister Tony Abbott during question time on Tuesday.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Come on guys, listen to Malcolm Turnbull's advice and put the bitterness behind you. Fill that space with love.

Treasurer Joe Hockey and Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop during question time on Tuesday.Credit: Andrew Meares

It's sad when friends fall out.

Treasurer Joe Hockey and Foreign Affairs minister Julie Bishop during question time on Tuesday.Credit: Andrew Meares

The Speaker tells schoolchildren leaving the chamber to do so quietly.

Pity they can't hear her over the din being made by MPs.

Congratulations to the Deputy Prime Minister, Warren Truss: