It was particularly interesting given the recent awkwardness over the axing of a junk food warnings website by Assistant Health Minister Fiona Nash, whose chief of staff Alastair Furnival, now himself axed, had strong links to the junk food lobby.

It was also a reminder, if one were needed, of the larger themes of the freshly-painted Abbott government: personal responsibility and the importance of belt-tightening.

They were themes the opposition was keen to pursue in question time, when it finally bared its teeth in questioning the personal responsibility of Immigration Minister Scott Morrison over the death of an asylum seeker during a riot at the Manus Island detention centre.

Morrison was more interested in the lessons of history - repeatedly pointing out that it was the previous government which set up the facility, and that selected the contractors who oversaw the riot.

Sooner or later the government, which has now existed for half a year, will probably have to take responsibility for itself, in the style of a fat man who is ''owning'' his curves, but we shouldn't expect it any time soon.