PM to Vic: Stop ripping off Tas exporters

The Victorian government's port tax on Tasmanian exports has copped a prime ministerial swipe during question time in federal parliament.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has slammed the Victorian Labor government for slugging a tax on exports from Tasmania.

Tasmanian independent MP Andrew Wilkie used parliament question time on Thursday to urge Mr Abbott to "bring the shysters in Victoria to heel" and drop what he said was an unconstitutional licence fee for the Melbourne port.

Mr Abbott challenged federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten to get on the phone to Premier Daniel Andrews and demand he stop ripping off Tasmanian exporters.