2014 was one rowdy ride in Federal Parliament. The carbon tax was axed, Direct Action was actioned and police bearing big guns were placed out the front. Halfway through the year, the Senate got a refresh with a crossbench so diverse it makes a packet of party mix lollies look samey. So as MPs prepare to head back to their electorates for the summer break, we look back on the year: its highs, lows and weirdest moments.
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HIGHS
1. A VC for Corporal Baird.
In February, Parliament stopped for a very rare and special reason when Prime Minister Tony Abbott informed the House that the 100th Victoria Cross had been awarded to the late Corporal Cameron Baird.
Corporal Baird's family was in the House to hear both Abbott and Bill Shorten then speak of his remarkable courage in Afghanistan, before they were embraced by a line-up of MPs.
2. Bipartisanship for Whitlam.
Gough Whitlam was a divisive figure in government, but there was no nastiness when the former prime minister died in October.
Malcolm Turnbull choked back tears and Abbott described him as "one of the greatest personalities that our country has ever produced".
3. Parliament united in response to MH17.
Parliament was sitting for an extra day before the winter break when the news broke that a passenger plane had been shot down in Ukraine.
Amid the shock, the government and opposition were swift to act with one defiant voice.
4. World leaders come to Canberra. The G20 sideshow brought not one but four leaders to Canberra.
There were three addresses to Parliament, David Cameron, Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi as well as a visit from Francois Hollande.
It was the foreign policy equivalent of a degustation banquet.
5. Women in the chair. There has been much talk this year about the (cough) modest number of women in the ministry.
But earlier this week, with the leaders away, there was a woman in the Speaker's chair, PM's chair, Opposition Leader's chair and the Deputy Clerk's spot.
LOWS
1. Bigotgate. It was March and the Senate was knee-deep in debate about watering down the Racial Discrimination Act when George Brandis uttered those now-immortal words: "people do have the right to be bigots, you know".
2. Burqagate. In October, with national fears about terrorism turned to "high," Madam Speaker and Senate President Stephen Parry banned Muslim women from wearing the burqa or niqab from the regular public galleries.
3. Speaking about the Speaker. What is it with Federal Parliament and speakership controversies? It's supposed to be the most impartial, least talked about job in the house. And yet, Bishop's love of 94a has led to Labor crying foul. And trying to move a no confidence motion against Madam Speaker in March. It was a political stunt, sure but one that she supplied the ammo for.
4. The budget that just won't budge.
Without getting into the politics of whether it was a great budget that reframes the country's economic agenda or a total dudfest, the real low point about the budget is that nearly seven months since May 13, we are STILL TALKING ABOUT IT.
It is like the Song That Never Ends, only with numbers.
5. The bucket. They say that it never rains but it pours. The adage was certainly proved true this week as a massive thunderstorm hit Canberra. chamber roof leaking.
WHOAS
1. Knights and Dames. Abbott stunned the Parliament and the nation when he announced in March that he was bringing back the honours system that Bob Hawke got rid of in 1986. He argued it would be an "important grace note in our national life". But the Prime Minister was hard to hear over the mass tittering.
2. Bill Heffernan brings a pipe bomb to Senate estimates.
The Liberal Senator smuggled the fake bomb into Parliament House to protest about the low levels of security.
Perhaps the strangest thing about the incident was nobody seemed that surprised.
3. Al Gore. Was there anything more bizarro than Clive Palmer's surprise press conference with the former US Vice President?
The two appeared in the Great Hall in June to talk up their passion to stop climate change as Palmer prepared to repeal the carbon tax.
And, of course, neither of them took questions.
4. Bronwyn's 18. Madam Speaker has never been shy about kicking Labor MPs out of question time, but even she excelled herself last week.
In under an hour she cantankerously sent 18 MPs from the chamber.
All from the Labor Party of course.
5. Jacqui Lambie. Warning that the Chinese are going to invade us. Extolling the virtues of men with good packages. Going independent some five months after being sworn in as a PUP senator. Take your pick.
