Turnbull must come clean on NBN raid: Wong

The claim Communications Minister Mitch Fifield knew federal police were investigating alleged NBN Co leaks but did not tell the prime minister's office "doesn't pass the pub test" Labor Senator Penny Wong says.

Labor's leader in the senate says the government has to "come clean" after Malcolm Turnbull on Saturday backed Mr Fifield's statement that he had been advised of the AFP investigation but kept the information to himself.

"It is inconceivable that Mitch Fifield and his office, who knew about these leaks and knew about the likelihood or the reality of an AFP investigation, did not tell someone in the prime minister's office," Ms Wong said on Saturday.