I don't remember asking for diary: Roy

One of Malcolm Turnbull's ministers has defended helping a former staffer to ex-Speaker Peter Slipper who came to him with sexual harassment allegations.

Assistant Innovation Minister Wyatt Roy says James Ashby was in tears as he showed him text messages he'd received from Mr Slipper.

When asked about Mr Ashby's recent claim he was given a piece of paper from the minister which included an instruction to copy Mr Slipper's diary, Mr Roy told Sky News on Thursday: "I don't remember that specifically".

Labor MP Nick Champion said there were now two senior Liberals - Mr Roy and Special Minister of State Mal Brough - with serious questions to answer.

"They shouldn't be allowed to dance through media interviews with sort of glib lines like `Well, I can't remember," he said.

"That doesn't really cut it".