ABC boss texts Abbott apology after tweet

The head of the ABC has sent Tony Abbott a text apologising for an offensive tweet aired during its Q&A program.

The already under-fire program displayed a tweet on Monday night which carried the handle @AbbottLovesAnal.

Managing director Mark Scott, who sent the prime minister a text on Tuesday morning to say sorry, will be providing a more formal written apology.

The ABC insists the tweet was not displayed on purpose with a spokesman saying the public broadcaster regretted any offence it may have caused.

Earlier Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull contacted Mr Scott to demand an apology.

He described the latest incident as "a Groundhog Day moment yet again", a reference to the much-criticised appearance of convicted criminal Zaky Mallah on an earlier live broadcast.

It was "another unedifying incident at Q&A", Mr Turnbull said.

"The tweet should obviously never have been put on the screen and the fact that it was underlines the need for better supervision of the program."

The ABC will be removing the tweet from any re-broadcasts of Monday's program, unlike repeats of the Zaky Mallah episode.

Q&A already is subject to an independent review by former SBS chief Shaun Brown and TV journalist Ray Martin.

The ABC board had decided to move the program into its news division, prompting Mr Abbott to lift a ban on ministers appearing on the weekly program.

The change is due to take affect by next year. AAP jr/rl/sy