Hockey taking time in lieu, says Abbott

Tony Abbott has defended the time Joe Hockey has spent at the hearing of a defamation case against Fairfax Media.

The treasurer is suing the company over a series of articles, posters and tweets published by The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Canberra Times about his relationship with the North Sydney Forum.

The articles suggested he provided "privileged access" to members of the forum who paid up to $22,000 in annual membership fees.

Mr Hockey has been in court on Monday and Tuesday giving evidence to support his case.

Mr Abbott said anyone who knew the treasurer would know he was working all weekend.

"So I suppose maybe he is having a bit of time in lieu today," he told reporters in Kalgoorlie.

"I think it's pretty unreasonable, if I may say so, for people to start bandying around that kind of question."