Minister dismisses Abbott RAAF report

A senior cabinet minister has dismissed as "ridiculous" reports Tony Abbott used a RAAF plane to fly to Melbourne, where he attended a birthday party.

The prime minister joined about 45 people at the exclusive Huntingdale Golf Club on Sunday night to celebrate the birthday of mining millionaire and big Liberal donor Paul Marks, the Herald-Sun said.

Small Business Minister Bruce Billson said Mr Abbott had meetings in Melbourne and Sydney on the same day.

"Let's not get stuck into the guy for having a moment with some acquaintances," he told Sky News, adding the story was a waste of a front page.

Independent senator Nick Xenophon says the prime minister must explain why he didn't use a cheaper commercial flight.

"These are legitimate questions for taxpayers," he told reporters in Canberra.

Labor's Pat Conroy said the flight appeared to be an appalling waste of taxpayer money but Mr Abbott could clear up the issue by releasing details about the genuine work aspects of his trip.

"While he was sipping on chardonnay and enjoying crayfish, how is this serving the Australian public?" he told reporters in Canberra.