Treasurer Joe Hockey has been awarded the golden toilet brush by Parliament House cleaners angry over pay and conditions.
The cleaners have walked off the job for 24 hours from 6.30am on Monday, protesting a federal government decision to abolish Commonwealth Cleaning Services guidelines.
Their union claims the decision has cost cleaners in commonwealth buildings about $6800 a year.
United Voice national president Jo Schofield says cleaners didn't take the decision to strike lightly.
"They're very committed to their work at Parliament House," she told reporters, adding the union had worked for years to get the appropriate guidelines in place.
Opposition employment spokesman Brendan O'Connor demanded the government reverse its decision.
"It's a reprehensible act", he told the cleaners outside Parliament House.
Independent senator Glenn Lazarus plans to raise the issue with the government before parliament adjourns for its winter break at the end of next week.
"It's just a nasty act by the government and it should never have been put on the agenda," he said.
The former rugby league legend later held the toilet brush for Mr Hockey like a barbell.
Tony Abbott last year became the first prime minister to win what the union describes as the "gong of shame".
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