Govt to co-operate with Indon burns probe

The government has promised to co-operate with an Indonesian police investigation into claims asylum seekers suffered burns during an Australian navy tow-back operation.

Defence chiefs and the government have disputed the allegations after the ABC aired footage of asylum seekers receiving medical treatment for burns they say were inflicted when they were forced to hold on to hot engine pipes while they were taken to Indonesia's Rote Island.

Indonesian police are now investigating the incident.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says Australia will co-operate with the inquiry.

"I cannot imagine for a moment that the professional people that we have in our forces would have behaved in that fashion," she told reporters in Washington overnight.

"But of course if there is any cooperation we can extend to ensure that these allegations are scotched then we'd be prepared to do it."

Overnight, Prime Minister Tony Abbott told reporters in Switzerland there was no evidence to back up the claims.

"Who do you believe? Do you believe Australian naval personnel or do you believe people who were attempting to break Australian law? I believe Australian naval personnel."