PM protecting Sinodinos: Labor deputy

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has been accused of protecting Liberal senator Arthur Sinodinos by refusing to stand him aside over a political donations scandal.

Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek says Mr Turnbull isn't prepared to take action against his "numbers man" Senator Sinodinos because the PM needs him in the face of a resurgent right wing of the Liberal Party.

"The only conclusion you can draw about the fact that Mr Turnbull is not prepared to act to stand Senator Sinodinos aside is that he can't afford to," Ms Plibersek told reporters in Sydney on Saturday.