In what must be a small consolation to Prime Minister Julia Gillard and her Communications Minister Stephen Conroy, Joe Hockey is also having a bad week.

First, the shadow treasurer got overruled by his colleague and families spokesman Kevin Andrews on the issue of the baby bonus. It can't be easy losing a fight to a man who looks like he uses a ruler to part his hair.

Not again: Shadow treasurer Joe Hockey during question time. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

The government is legislating to reduce the bonus for second and subsequent children, a savings measure Hockey would like very much to support, given he could be curling his own fist around the federal clutch-purse before the year is out.

With Opposition Leader Tony Abbott out daily promising to shower cash on everyone and their Aunty Martha, Hockey needs all the savings measures he can get.