There were pats on the back for an energetic Michaelia Cash and a diligent Andrew Robb when coalition MPs gathered for their regular parliamentary sitting week meeting.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Tuesday praised the employment minister describing as electrifying Senator Cash's oratory on the owner-driver truckies row with a road safety tribunal.
Fresh from his first trip to China as the nation's leader, Mr Turnbull noted there was universal praise there for Mr Robb's efforts in his previous role as trade minister.
Mr Robb landed a free-trade deal with China, adding to his signings with Japan and Korea.
Mr Turnbull told his colleagues the May 3 budget would be be fair, prudent and all about growth and jobs.
Despite having a trigger to call a double-dissolution election on July 2, the prime minister emphasised there was still business to complete.
He said coalition MPs were men and women of action.
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said the Australian electorate had a choice between the talent in government ranks and the Labor alternatives.
"Who do you want to be Treasurer Scott Morrison or the Derek Zoolander of economics Chris Bowen?" he said.
"Who do you want as your prime minister, somebody who has made a buck or a trade union official?"
Mr Morrison said the budget would not be normal or typical because it had to lay the foundation of the economic plan the government wanted to take to an election.
