Palmer doesn't understand PPL: Abbott

Tony Abbott has accused Clive Palmer of not understanding his paid parental leave policy after the billionaire miner's attack on the prime minister's female chief of staff.

Mr Palmer on Monday used a parliamentary debate to lash out at the government's parental leave scheme, suggesting Peta Credlin had influenced the policy because she stood to benefit.

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The comments provoked a backlash from all sides of politics, forcing Mr Palmer to issue a Twitter statement saying he did not intend to personally attack Ms Credlin.

Mr Abbott said the Palmer United Party founder did not understand that his parental leave policy would give all women entitlements enjoyed by commonwealth public servants, including his chief of staff.

"So before he goes out and attacks people he really ought to understand the policy, and he doesn't," Mr Abbott told reporters in Canberra.

"I think that blokes around this place have learnt to underestimate women at their peril. I just make that general observation."