On Tuesday, a report emerged that the Joint Committee on Human Rights, which is chaired by Liberal senator Dean Smith and boasts five Coalition members, found that the six-month waiting period policy breached the "right" young people have to "social security" and "an adequate standard of living".

Following this slander, other Liberals leapt to the policy's defence, notably Queensland backbencher Ewen Jones, who told journalists: "If you're not in the game, we've got to make it as easy as possible for you to get into the game … Is it better to have someone earning and learning? Is it better to say to them 'there's your dole, go home and eat Cheezels, get on the Xbox'?"

Jones made a cogent argument, even if the readiness of his dole-bludger imagery made some observers suspect that he was better acquainted with the pleasures of a gaming and cheesy snacks-based lifestyle than he might care to admit.

But there was more at stake here than the entry of the Cheezel into the national debate. There was Andrews' dignity to think of, not to mention his policy. And, for the moment at least, the government had to at least look like it was standing by it.

In question time, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten asked the Prime Minister whether he agreed with the findings of the human rights committee.