Peter Dutton's decision to grant visas to au pairs a 'storm in a tea cup' claims Pyne

Christopher Pyne says new claims about Peter Dutton’s intervention to grant visas to au pairs is a “storm in a tea cup”, and he’d followed ministerial processes.

“I really don’t think there’s anything to see here,” Mr Pyne told the Today Show.

And the Home Affairs Minister has rejected any question he acted improperly, saying he made decisions on merit, and within the guidelines.

But pressure will continue to build on Mr Dutton to explain his role and why he acted despite advice from senior Border Force officers.

RELATED: Dutton defends use of powers over au pair visa

The latest case involves an Italian au pair, Michela Marchisio, who arrived in Australia in 2015, to work for a former Queensland Police Service colleague of Mr Dutton.

Ms Marchisio was detained and due to be deported, with the department advising the minister she was a risk.

Mr Dutton stepped in, and she was granted a visa.

The minister has said the police officer was only an acquaintance, and he hasn’t spoken to him, since the 1990s.

Questions are also being asked about the granting of a visa to a French au pair after an approach by AFL boss, Gillon McLachlan, whose second cousin the woman was due to work for.

Again, there was contrary advice from the department.

Ministers have wide discretionary powers to grant visas, and Mr Dutton said he receives hundreds of requests to examine cases from MPs on all sides.

Labor’s Anthony Albanese conceded ministers do “from time to time” intervene.

But, he told the Today Show, people would judge Mr Dutton on his “lack of compassion” for children in detention.

He said Peter Dutton had to be transparent, pointing out an obvious campaign to hit back at Mr Dutton after his role in bringing down Malcolm Turnbull.