Abbott rules out apologising to Hicks

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has ruled out issuing David Hicks an apology after his terrorism conviction was overturned in a US military court.

The ruling brings an end to an almost decade-long legal saga.

Mr Hicks' father Terry has called on the Australian government to apologise.

Mr Abbott says he is not in the business of commenting on legal action in American courts or on American laws.

"He was up to no good on his own admission," Mr Abbott told reporters in Launceston.

"I'm not in the business of apologising for the actions that Australian governments take to protect our country."

He said it was important not to dwell an old terrorist threat but to focus on current ones.

Asked if the Australia had done enough to help Mr Hicks, Mr Abbott said: "We did what was needed."