Federal parliament restores sittings plan

Politicians approved a return to Canberra on June 10 rather than the originally proposed August 11 date.

Parliament has intermittently convened to pass laws crucial to Australia's health and economic recovery, but will return to a full program for the remainder of the year.

Greens Senate leader Larissa Waters said it was concerning there was one less budget estimates week to scrutinise government spending.

Government Senate leader Mathias Cormann said it was because the budget has been delayed from its usual May date.

"The program we're proposing has two estimates weeks in October after the budget is delivered," he told parliament.

The budget will be delivered on October 6 - the first day of a three-day sitting week.

Senator Waters said half the country would be on school holidays during that week.

"I'm sure there are many folk in here who have people who stay home and look after their kids for them but some of us do it ourselves," she told the upper house.

"I would seriously ask the government to reflect on rescheduling that week to a different week in this sitting year so that people and young parents in particular are not discouraged from careers in politics."

Senator Cormann said she raised a fair point and the government would look at whether it could be moved.

Australian Associated Press