To be fair, at the time Senator Brandis picked up the book, Labor senator Alex Gallacher was questioning Department of Foreign Affairs secretary Peter Varghese about Australia's diplomatic footprint abroad with a liveliness rivalled only by Nationals leader Warren Truss.

Senator Brandis reads poetry while Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade secretary Peter Varghese answers questions.

With Mr Varghese fielding the questions, the Attorney-General, clearly in camera shot, channelled his inner Bob Carr, reached for a copy of Our Country, reclined in his seat and proceeded to read for the next 30 minutes.

And who says men can't multi-task?

Asked to explain his decision to read during the hearing, Senator Brandis told Fairfax Media: "I find it very easy to read and listen to Senate estimates at the same time."