Labor has outmanoeuvred the federal government and won a historic procedural vote in the House of Representatives as the first week of the new Parliament draws to a close.

It was the first time a majority government has lost a vote in the House in decades, demonstrating how difficult managing the 45th Parliament will be.

The government of Sir Robert Menzies also lost several votes in 1962 when it governed with a one-seat majority, the same size as Mr Turnbull’s. Ultimately its precarious majority contributed to a subsequent early election. 

Former prime minister Tony Abbott said there were “lessons that everyone will learn” out of the week.

“I think that there are lessons for the Labor party just as much as there are lessons for the government,” Mr Abbott said.

“The lessons for the Labor party are, you didn’t win the election. Sure, you can cause trouble in the Parliament if you wish, but in the end the public expect all of us to do the job that they want from a government, which is to get on with things.”

According to the House of Representatives Practice: “It has been claimed that the loss of control of the business of the House is a matter over which governments should resign.”

“During 1962 and 1963, when the Menzies government had a floor majority of one, it suffered a number of defeats and, although it did not resign, its precarious majority was a factor which led to the early dissolution of the House.”

Coalition MP Ken Wyatt said the government could have dealt with the situation better and there was a clear message that MPs should “not leave until the House is adjourned”.

“It’s got nothing to do with stability, it’s got to do with shenanigans,” Mr Wyatt said.

Liberal MP Andrew Hastie summed up the evening as “silly buggers”.

Mr Hastie said he did not know who was to blame, but the Coalition needed to be “more disciplined”.

The government dismissed the losses as a stunt, but the damage was felt. Photo: AAP

Justice Minister Michael Keenan was one of the Government MPs who was not present for the vote — something he said he should not have done.

Mr Keenan told the ABC he took responsibility for his absence, but labelled last night’s events as a “stunt” by Labor.

“Obviously we have a majority in the Parliament,” he said.

“This was a stunt by the Labor Party who are far more interested in playing parlour games in Canberra than they are about representing the people that they were sent here to represent.

“I have no doubt that will be a lesson, there’s a lesson for me and others and we won’t be having a repeat of that.”

Labor’s Tim Watts denied the back and forth was a stunt, while his colleague Michael Danby said it was a “legitimate political tactic”.

Fellow Labor MP Wayne Swan said the evening proved the government was a “shambles”.

How it unfolded

The Coalition holds a majority of 76 seats, while Labor has 69.

Labor was pressing to pass a motion calling on the government to hold a banking royal commission.

Bill Shorten exposed the difficulties the government faces with its slim majority. Photo: AAP

It surprised the government with its tactics, by voting against Parliament adjourning at its usual time of 4:30pm. 

The Opposition then won a second and third vote while a number of government MPs were absent, which effectively brought forward the royal commission motion.

The fourth, which would be the vote on the motion itself, saw Speaker Tony Smith exercise his casting vote for the continuation of debate.

Treasurer Scott Morrison said the tactics amounted to a “stunt”.

“What we’re seeing here this afternoon Mr Speaker is a stunt, a stunt from an Opposition to promote their stunt which is the royal commission.”

Earlier on Thursday, the Opposition successfully moved a Senate motion calling for the probe into financial sector wrongdoing, despite resistance from the Coalition.

The Opposition Leader Bill Shorten told the House of Representatives Labor would not back down.

“We will never give up on this royal commission,” Mr Shorten said.

“We may succeed tonight or we may not, but I give the government fair notice on behalf of people who want justice.”

-ABC