So where do things stand?
1. The media reforms look shaky with a compromise plan to save central elements of the plan now resting with Craig Thomson;
2. Tony Windsor faces a fight to keep his seat of New England after Barnaby Joyce said he would seek National Party represelection for the seat;
3. The government backed away from its controversial anti discrimination laws;
4. The opposition is making hay while the sun shines and has reissued its lemon ad - the one that says all Labor leaders, no matter who they are, are duds.
I'm really enjoying everyone's feisty contributions. Thanks so much for joining me, Andrew Meares and Alex Ellinghausen.
Until the morrow.
And in some breaking news National Party Senator Barnaby Joyce has confirmed he will seek preselection for the National Party in New England - independent Tony Windsor's seat.
Chief political correspondent Mark Kenny has more details here.
The PM looks for the subtext in Julie Bishop's question.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard listens to a Julie Bishop question Photo: Andrew Meares
Bob Katter attempts to explains his amendments to the media reform package to Peter Slipper.
Peter Slipper and Bob Katter on the cross bench Photo: Andrew Meares
Yes, Albo, I agree the press should be more heavily regulated.
Leader of the House Anthony Albanese talks with Greens MP Adam Bandt Photo: Andrew Meares
"......there's nothing going on."
Kevin Rudd speaks with Chief Government Whip Joel Fitzgibbon Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
A few minutes ago independent MP Andrew Wilkie responded to the pressure placed on him by the Greens earlier today (see 1.08pm).
Mr Wilkie will not be voting for any of the government's four remaining media reform bills.
"These reforms are rushed and poorly constructed....No reasonable person could expect quality decisions to be made in these circumstances," Mr Wilkie says.
"These reforms fail to give more rights to members of the community subject to media mistreatment and fail to comprehensively enhance the Australian Press Council. Moreover they're not accompanied by the essential supporting legislation."
Independent MP Andrew Wilkie comments on the media reform bill Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
And that's it for Question Time today.
Meanwhile, Kevin Rudd is engaging with constituents. On the topic of his favourite cup cake flavour.
@missmimo007 definitely vanilla. KRudd
— Kevin Rudd (@KRuddMP) March 20, 2013
Speaks for itself really.
For those watching QT, I was ejected from the House for asking the PM to tell us what her backbenchers thought of her #qt
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) March 20, 2013
Anyone who is wondering why the government is asking itself so many questions about pensioners should be aware that today is the day pensions rise due to indexation.
The Opposition's front bench is Wayne Swan's "economic neanderthals".
Shadow immigration minister Scott Morrison during Question Time. Photo: Andrew Meares
Christopher Pyne asks the PM when the government will stop counting votes and stop the boats.
The PM doesn't look too impressed by the tactic of linking every government policy to leadership.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard during Question Time Photo: Andrew Meares
A word in your ear.
Independent MP Tony Windsor in discussion with Labor MP Kevin Rudd Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
The deputy leader of the Opposition, Julie Bishop, asks the PM if she has had any discussion with any of the independent MPs about legal fees they may be incurring as a result of legal action.
"I have not had anybody raise with me the topic the deputy leader of the Opposition refers to," Ms Gillard says.
Hmmmm. That's an answer the Opposition clearly wants for a reason. What can it be?
Prime Minister Julia Gillard during Question Time Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Should I or shouldn't I?
Labor MP Kevin Rudd during Question Time Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work we go.
Kevin Rudd arrives for Question Time Photo: Andrew Meares
Question Time is focussing on the economy. No surprises there. The Opposition seeks information from the Government as to the size of the deficit and how long it might take to pay it back.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott wants to know why the economy is in debt when the global financial crisis ended four years ago.
Oh, it's over is it, asks the PM. That might come as a surprise to the people of Cyprus, Greece, Italy and the United States where things are still mighty rough.
"We actually deal with the circumstances of the real world including the circumstances of the Australian economy," the PM says.
The PM arrives.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard during Question Time Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
See what I mean about Coalition MPs spreading leadership rumours? Bear in mind this man has his own Dalek.
Couldn't Labor bring the #spill on earlier so we didn't have to listen to another pathetic @juliagillard diatribe? #auspol #qt
— George Christensen (@GChristensenMP) March 20, 2013
Question Time.
There's a lot of white noise around today. Static even.
There's also an awful lot of governing going on.
The Minister for Workplace Relations, Bill Shorten, is firmly in the governing camp.
Earlier today he introduced new legislation to establish the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency.
With asbestos related deaths not expected to peak until 2020, Mr Shorten said, a national agency with the powers to tackle illegal dumping and promote safe disposal is vital.
Meanwhile, it's the first International Happiness Day. I wonder what colour ribbon MPs will have on in Question Time to mark that?
Shadow communications minister Malcolm Turnbull and chief government whip Joel Fitzgibbon chat during the debate on media reform in Parliament last night. Photo: Andrew Meares
Greens leader Christine Milne has secured a deal with the government over media reform.
"We don't want a scenario where Gina Rinehart can set up her own press council," Senator Milne says.
Under the deal the West Australian press council will be grandfathered allowing, essentially, two press regulators to operate for a limited period of time.
The Greens have also pushed for safeguards for regional news and current affairs content.
Senator Milne had some stern words for independent MP Andrew Wilkie: "I'm calling on him not to allow Rupert Murdoch to run the agenda on media reform."
Earlier this morning Mr Wilkie's fellow independent, Tony Windsor, said the changes had a 70 per cent change of passing.
Senator Milne said she would rate the package's chances as higher than that.
In a few minutes the leader of the Greens, Christine Milne, will hold a press conference where she is expected to announce the government has reached an agreement with the Greens on media reform.
At 11.31 I reported on some comments made by chief government whip, Joel Fitzgibbon, on what is or is not happening on leadership.
Dan Harrison has now filed a longer version of Mr Fitzgibbon's comments.
The story also contains the video of the interview which I promised to show you.
You might recall The Sydney Morning Herald's political editor, Peter Hartcher, wrote a story yesterday that suggested the Minister for Foriegn Affairs, Bob Carr, and the Minister for Aged Care, Mark Butler, no longer had confidence in the leadership of the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard.
It caused quite a stir and led Senator Carr and Mr Butler to say they still supported Ms Gillard.
The Age's national affairs editor, Tony Wright, has written a rather pithy piece about the "50 shades of grey" of truth in politics and in reporting.
I recommend it as we swing into the lunch hour.
At 11.17 I bought you the news that Attorney General Mark Dreyfus was dumping the more controversial aspects of the government's anti discrimination agenda.
Daniel Hurst has had a look at the details of what the government is proceeding with.
So what is going on with media reform?
It's not in the House of Representatives, that's for sure, and may not come back until after Question Time which gives the government valuable time to continue its negotiations with the cross benchers.
Lenore Taylor reports that independent Craig Thomson may now be the key.
So far the background to all of this has, of course, been leadership.
Chief government whip and Rudd man, Joel Fitzgibbon, has told Fairfax Media's Tim Lester that: "I'm too honest in politics. But I wear that as a badge of honour. The newspapers are full of it so the public must conclude that something must be going on....It would be silly to tell people watching your program that there is nothing going on."
Mr Fitzgibbon says "internally people are looking at the polls and they are expressing concern about the future of the government and indeed the party".
But he ruled out any extraordinary meetings of caucus to discuss leadership saying "the prime minister continues to enjoy the support of the party room".
"I think people prove themselves a little bit over excited speculating that there will be a change this week or indeed necessarily before the election," Mr Fitzgibbon says.
Mr Fitzgibbon also said it was a "silly concept" to suggest the party could change leaders between budget day and the September election.
I'll have the full video of that interview for you shortly.
One of the pieces of legislation referred by Mr Pyne in our 9.54am post is the amendment to the Sex Discrimination Act which will give protection to people against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status.
The Attorney-General, Mark Dreyfus, said the changes would build on the government's previous reforms which discriminate against same-sex couples and their children.
However Mr Dreyfus would not commit to a timetable for the consolidation of five anti-discrimination acts that had been pursued by his predecessor, Nicola Roxon.
"I'm not satisfied the bill.....passes the test of striking the right balance," Mr Dreyfus said.
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus during a press conference at Parliament House Photo: Andrew Meares
The leader of the Opposition, Tony Abbott, greets mining magnate Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest at a breakfast at Parliament House this morning.
Mr Abbott was at a function to promote Mr Forrest GenerationOne initiative which works to find jobs for indigenous people.
Andrew Forrest greets Opposition Leader Tony Abbott Photo: Alex Ellignhausen
It's nothing but rainbows and lollipops in the Liberal Party today.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop at a GenerationOne breakfast at Parliament House Photo: Andrew Meares
Which brings us back to Mr Pyne who is angry the government has just introduced 18 more bills into Parliament.
He makes the point that it would "take hours and hours" just for ministers to make the introductory speeches and inevitably pushes debate on the media reform bills down the agenda.
Mr Pyne wants Parliament to sit next week to debate the media reform package and is critical of the government's management of the parliamentary schedule.
"This is no way to run the country. It's well and truly time we had a stable government run by adults," Mr Pyne said.
Manager of Opposition Business Christopher Pyne Photo: Andrew Meares
The manager of Opposition business, Christopher Pyne, is about to hold a press conference about what happened in the House of Representatives last night.
Before he starts talking let me walk you through what happened because it was a bit crazy.
At 9.30pm Labor MP Kelvin Thomson under instruction from the manager of Government business, Anthony Albanese, got up to defer the adjournment debate which means the government wanted people to keep talking, presumably because they believed a deal with the independents was close.
A division was called and everyone turned up. But as they arrived the Speaker, Anna Burke, withdrew the division.
Even the PM looked confused as this photo shows.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard pauses when entering the Chamber to vote on a division to continue debate on the media regulation bills Photo: Andrew Meares
Independent MP Tony Windsor has good reason to look chipper. High profile NSW National Party MP Richard Torbay has been sacked as the party's federal candidate for Mr Windsor's seat of New England.
It is understood the Nationals are concerned about links between Mr Torbay and the family of Labor powerbroker Eddie Obeid.
Mr Torbay's loss is possibly Queensland Senator Barnaby Joyce's gain. He is again considering running for the lower house.
As Labor MP Ed Husic quipped this morning: "If Bruce Willis can make five Die Hard films Barnaby can make a come back."
Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott during Question Time yesterday Photo: Andrew Meares
Lenore Taylor and Peter Martin followed the debate until its conclusion and have this account of what happened.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard laughs during a division on one if the the media regulation bills last night Photo: Andrew Meares
Two down, four to go. It was a late night last night for MPs as Parliament deliberated over the media reform laws.
The PM took the helm and is now one third of the way to securing her reform package amid signs a deal with the crossbenchers has been reached.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard looks towards Leader of the House Anthony Albanese during debate on the media regulation bills late last night Photo: Andrew Meares
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