Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she is not offended by Opposition frontbencher Tony Abbott's use of bad language to criticise her.

Leaving Federal Parliament on Thursday night, Mr Abbot said Ms Gillard had been sporting a "shit-eating grin" during Question Time.

Ms Gillard, who spent much of the parliamentary week defending the Government's $16 billion stimulus spend on schools amid claims of mismanagement and wasteful spending, has laughed off the comments.

"Tony's made a remark - he can explain it," she said.

"Doesn't particularly concern me. I think I was doing what I normally do in Question Time, which is I spent a bit of time laughing and joking with some of my colleagues."

Earlier, Government Minister Craig Emerson told Mr Abbott to focus on the economy instead of "hurling foul-mouthed abuse".

This morning Mr Abbott's boss, Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull, declined to condemn his colleague's choice of words.

"Everyone expresses themselves in their own terms, but I'll leave it at that," he said.

It is not the first time Mr Abbott has courted controversy with his colourful language.

He infamously used the word "bullshit" when, as health minister in the previous Howard government, he responded to comments by Labor frontbencher Nicola Roxon criticising him for being late to an election debate.

It was all caught on camera and broadcast nationally.

ABC/AAP