Government plays down leak of 'talking points'

The federal government has played down the leaking of talking points ahead of parliament's return for the year.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull Source: AAP

An email outlining key talking points for coalition MPs and senators has been leaked ahead of the first day of parliament today. 

Prepared by the Prime Minister’s office and sent out last night, they cover canvassed topics such as jobs and growth, innovation, school funding and the royal commission into trade unions.

The email also included a social media meme mocking union donations to the Labor Party.

One note outlines questions to press upon Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, including:

• "Why did Mr Shorten do a deal that got rid of penalty rates in return for money for his union?"
• "Some of the Cleanevent and Chiquita mushroom employees have publicly expressed their distress and dissatisfaction at how they were treated by Mr Shorten. Has Mr Shorten reached out to them to apologise for short-changing them?"

Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia, Josh Frydenberg, played down the significance of the leak, but said there may be some members of the Coalition who are "still disgruntled" after last year's leadership change.

"There have been leaked talking points from both sides of politics over the years, it's not uncommon," he told ABC 24 this morning.

"I just think the divisions of the past, we had a leadership change last year, we've all got to move on from that - we have an election to fight this year - Malcolm Turnbull has had a fantastic start as Prime Minister... you've seen that reflected in th polls.

"He's made some very positive announcements, he's had some positive overseas trips and now we're getting on with the job of governing in this election year.

"There are many people in the party room, obviously some [who] are still disgruntled, but that is not any different to what the Labor caucus is like...and somebody might leak some talking points.

"I don't think that reflects the broader sense of disunity in the government at all. I think there is a great deal of focus in this election year and we're very buoyant.

"We're looking ahead with great confidence. Today we're talking about industrial relations.

"There is a busy agenda and Malcolm Turnbull has the confidence of the party room and of the Australian people."

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann told ABC Radio said there was nothing unusual about a government communicating with MPs and senators about its priorities and why its approach was better than the opposition.