Pyne brushes off Abbott dinner snub

Senior Liberal Christopher Pyne has brushed off speculation about Tony Abbott's decision to spend the night with his mum instead of coalition colleagues dining at the Lodge.

Mr Pyne said that, unlike his colleagues from further afield, it was easy for Mr Abbott to travel from Sydney to Canberra for Monday's partyroom meeting.

"The fact Tony Abbott chose to be at home in Sydney well, good luck to him, that's his choice. It wasn't a compulsory event," he told the Nine Network on Monday.

Social Services Minister Christian Porter said Mr Abbott's non-attendance was a non-issue.

"There were a few people who because of travel arrangements or other issues weren't there, but it was well-attended," he told ABC radio.