Prime Minister Tony Abbott has threatened to extend the parliamentary sitting calendar into Christmas during a joint party room meeting consumed by fiery speeches about an ''unbalanced'' ABC and a joking suggestion that former MP Sophie Mirabella could take over the running of the national broadcaster.

Parliament is scheduled to finish for the year on December 12, but Mr Abbott told the Coalition party room that he was prepared to keep sitting from the week starting December 16 and beyond over four issues – the carbon and mining taxes, temporary protection visas and the debt ceiling.

Manager of opposition business Tony Burke released a statement saying Labor was ready if Mr Abbott wanted to bring back the Parliament.