In sometimes chaotic scenes, senior ministers scrambled to call MPs back to Parliament House to ensure Labor's motion calling for a banking royal commission could be defeated.

Labor won three procedural votes before the government could secure the numbers it needed to adjourn for the day.

Mr Turnbull blamed ministers Peter Dutton, Michael Keenan and Christian Porter for the "stuff-up", saying MPs shouldn't leave before Parliament is adjourned without permission from the government's leadership team.

So who is responsible for ensuring the Coalition has the numbers it needs to control the Parliament?

Christopher Pyne, leader of the House of Representatives

One of Parliament's most fierce political tacticians, Mr Pyne is appointed to secure progress of the government's agenda through the lower house, including bills and other votes.

The role includes planning debates, leading government tactics and managing urgent business in the House.

With a bare majority of 76 MPs, Mr Pyne works closely with the Prime Minister, the Speaker, the clerk and the government's whips to run the lower house.

Traditionally the leader also negotiates with the manager of opposition business and crossbench MPs.

The base salary for members of Parliament is $199,040 per annum. As Leader of the House, Mr Pyne is entitled to a 75 per cent loading, bringing his salary to $348,320.

Nola Marino, Chief Government Whip

Chief Government Whip Nola Marino during question time. Photo: Andrew Meares

Western Australian MP Nola Marino is the Chief Government Whip in the lower house and is responsible for the actions and attendance of Coalition MPs.

The whip is the traditional enforcer of the government's position, working with the opposition to plan the parliamentary day and negotiate pair agreements.

A deputy whip under former prime minister Tony Abbott, Ms Marino replaced hardline Queenslander Scott Buchholz to become the first female chief government whip in the House of Representatives.

Former whip Philip Ruddock was dumped by Mr Abbott after 39 MPs moved against the former prime minister in a failed leadership spill.

In the job Ms Marino is paid a 26 per cent loading, bringing her salary to $250,790.

Rowan Ramsey and Bert van Manen, Government Whips

Working alongside the Chief Government Whip, the Government Whips assist in making sure all party members attend and vote as a team in a division.

They count and record votes and give advice and support for party members.

Both were counting numbers as Labor sought to delay an adjournment vote on Thursday night.

As government whips, Mr Ramsey and Mr van Manen are paid a 13 per cent loading, bringing their salaries to $224,915.

George Christensen, Chief National Party Whip

George Christensen in Parliament on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Controversial conservative MP and Chief Nationals Whip George Christensen defended himself against "Twitter warriors" after the chaos of Thursday night.

With Labor celebrating, he said all Nationals MPs had been in Parliament for the votes and ensured the blame was placed firmly with Coalition partners, the Liberal Party.

As the Nationals' chief whip, Mr Christensen is paid a 13 per cent loading, bringing his salary to $224,915.