Lions, snakes and snails mingle with political animals

While the drumbeats of a federal election grow louder, the sounds of Lunar New Year celebrations can also be heard inside Parliament House.

Lion dancing and music heralded the Year of the Snake in Canberra on Wednesday.

But the celebrations did not last for long as politicians continued to tussle over tax-deductible long lunches.

The coalition wants small businesses to be able to claim $20,000 in tax deductible meals, but issues have been raised over the timing and tone during a cost-of-living crunch.

The government used most of Question Time to ridicule the scheme, claiming it would be little more than a way for company executives to claim expensive feeds.

"Apparently Australia can afford at least $1.6 billion a year for every boss to go out to lunch. That's the choice: escargot for CEOs or early education for our kids," Education Minister Jason Clare said.

"I know which one parents are going to pick: they're going to pick their kids ... this doesn't belong in a budget, it belongs in the bin."

Meanwhile, the opposition tried to corner Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about when he was informed by intelligence agencies about a caravan found packed with explosives and list of synagogues.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton repeatedly tried to get an answer out of the prime minister, saying Mr Albanese had "not been honest with the Australian people".

Fiery confrontations weren't confined to the chamber, with independent senator Lidia Thorpe heckling a press conference from pro-nuclear activist and former Miss America winner Grace Stanke.

Passing the proceedings, Senator Thorpe shouted "you have no consent for nuclear in Australia" and "you're poisoning your children's children".

The coalition plans to build seven nuclear power plants in the next decade should they win the upcoming election.

Earlier, both major party leaders briefly put aside differences as part of an International Women's Day breakfast event.

There was still more work to be done by MPs to ensure progress for women, the prime minister said.

"There has been a great deal of overdue change in the last three years: in economic opportunity, pay, representation and rights," Mr Albanese said. "And there is more that must change, urgently - including the right of every woman to live in safety, free from the threat of violence."