On Monday night's Q&A, the radio presenter appeared to absolve all those aged 28-years-and-under of moral and ethical responsibility as he defended Cardinal George Pell's response to the sexual abuse of children within the Catholic Church.

The shock jock was responding to an audience question which suggested Pell - now one of the highest ranking Vatican officials - should be removed from his post over his lack of action on reports of abuse.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has branded the 2013 Senate election result "an embarrassment" and the preference deals that delivered power to the micro-parties a "disgrace" as upper house crossbenchers came together to plot revenge for the Coalition's voting reforms.

In his strongest comments yet on the issue, Mr Turnbull told the NSW Liberal Party faithful on Saturday he was seeking to "restore democracy" with his bill to introduce optional preferential voting, which would purge Parliament of the micro-parties. The bill is expected to pass this month with Greens support.

Chart from Desmog. Extrapolation by Gus

Malcolm Turnbull, Tony Abbott break bread as sub row continues

Cardinal George Pell has told the child abuse royal commission he was deceived in a world of crime and cover-ups by people who did not want the status quo disturbed.

For all of the self-congratulatory stories we tell ourselves about moral progress and human betterment, sometimes we in the post-Christian West end up advocating some truly barbaric, inhumane positions.

Shadow Treasurer Michael Daley said New South Wales should be concerned by the Government's plan.

Case Study 28 deals with the response of the Christian Brothers in Victoria to allegations of child sexual abuse involving six brothers - all of whom spent time working at schools in the Diocese of Ballarat.

When asked if he had been approached by students with complaints of inappropriate touching by teachers or principles, Cardinal Pell said he could not recall any examples.