Tony Abbott is keen to get a tick of approval from the nation's human rights watchdog despite his savage criticism of its president.
The prime minister has labelled an Australian Human Rights Commission inquiry into children in immigration detention a "political stitch-up".
He says the government has lost confidence in commission president Gillian Triggs but has stopped short of demanding her resignation.
"Labor put kids into detention, the coalition is getting kids out of detention," Mr Abbott told reporters in Canberra on Thursday, noting his government had reduced numbers to "just over 100" down from a peak of near 2000 under Labor.
"I look forward one day to getting the big tick of approval from the human rights commission," he said.
His comments come as federal police examine claims the government offered Professor Triggs an inducement to resign as the nation's human rights chief.
The AFP has agreed to a Labor request to assess whether a senior legal role was dangled in front of Prof Triggs to induce her to leave the Human Rights Commission, and whether the offer constituted a bribe.
Mr Abbott insists Prof Triggs was not asked to resign and no inducement was offered.
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