Opposition Leader Tony Abbott must explain his offer to "fix" legal issues that led to the disendorsement of a Queensland MP, Health Minister Nicola Roxon says.
Mr Abbott has admitted he tried to save federal opposition MP Michael Johnson from being dumped by the NLP, but he was overruled by Queensland party heavyweights.
In a transcript of a telephone message the opposition leader left with Mr Johnson in February, Mr Abbott said he would "fix" the legal issues that led to Mr Johnson being disendorsed for the Brisbane seat of Ryan.
Mr Johnson was dumped by the party for allegedly using his political position to further his business interests. Ms Roxon said it was an extraordinary message, and Mr Abbott had to explain himself.
"Now, call me old fashioned, but it is not obvious to me how the leader of the opposition or any politician in Australia can fix legal problems for any person, and I call on Mr Abbott to explain what he meant by those words," she told reporters in Melbourne.
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"Obviously, it is a concern to me that a person who wants to be the prime minister thinks that even as the leader of the opposition or a member of parliament that legal problems can be fixed."
Mr Roxon said it was important the Australia's legal and political systems operated independently.
