Zaky Mallah on ABC on Monday night. Mr Mallah has been part of the Q&A audience on four occasions but Monday night's episode was the first time he was able to ask a question. When Mr Ciobo said he would be happy to see Mr Mallah sent out of the country, Mr Mallah responded: "The Liberals have just justified to many Australian Muslims in the community tonight to leave and go to Syria and join ISIL because of ministers like him." ABC director of television Richard Finlayson has admitted the ABC had made an "error in judgment" in allowing Mr Mallah on air and said the decision would be reviewed. But Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Thursday announced the Department of Communications would launch a review into the episode, in addition to the ABC's own review.

Government MP Steve Ciobo, who appeared on Q&A on Monday night. Credit:ABC "I think it's very important that we get an understanding of the reason this judgment call was made which was clearly, as the ABC has acknowledged, so mistaken," he said. Mr Abbott predicted the ABC would clear itself of any wrongdoing. "We're not satisfied with an internal ABC inquiry because so often we've seen virtual whitewashes when that sort of thing happens," he said. "Frankly the ABC ought to take some very strong action."

We're not satisfied with an internal ABC inquiry because so often we've seen virtual whitewashes when that sort of thing happens Mr Turnbull said the decision to invite Mr Mallah onto the program was a "very big mistake and it's troubling that such an error of judgment could be made". "As far as I'm concerned, as the portfolio minister, I want to get a better understanding of exactly what occurred because there are conflicting reports and I've asked my department to investigate it and report back to me," he said. Mr Turnbull declined to say whether the ABC should take the program off air while the review into Monday's episode is completed. "I don't run the ABC. I don't determine their editorial policy," he said.

"I'm responsible minister, but the ABC is run by its board and its managing director." An ABC spokesman said the organisation "will cooperate as required" with the government's review. Q&A 'boycott' fails to gain traction Cabinet minister Kevin Andrews has said he would boycott the show in the future as a way of protest. But other ministers declined to follow his example.

Mr Turnbull, a frequent Q&A panelist, said individual ministers could decide to boycott the program but that he would continue to appear on it. "Most of the leading figures in this building have been on the show plenty of times and from my point of view I think we are in the business of getting the message of the government across," he said. "And so we need to take advantage of every platform that's available. So I'll continue to appear on ABC programs, including Q&A, if I'm invited to be there." Foreign Minister Julie Bishop also declined to join in any boycott for the time being. "I've not been invited on Q&A for some time, so it's manners to wait until you're asked before you decide not to go on it," she told reporters at Parliament House.

Labor senator Helen Polley says Mr Andrews' boycott would be no loss for the ABC's viewers. "I think that some may say that it might improve their ratings if Mr Andrews doesn't appear on Q&A," Senator Polley said. Loading Follow us on Twitter Follow Latika Bourke on Facebook