Prime Minister Tony Abbott has slammed the ABC over its decision to feature a former terrorist suspect on the Q&A program on Monday night, questioning which "side" the national broadcaster is on.

The ABC has admitted an error of judgment and said it would review the decision to permit Sydney man Zaky Mallah to question Liberal MP Steve Ciobo about proposed changes to citizenship laws.

Mr Mallah was found not guilty of preparing a suicide attack on a Commonwealth building after being held for two years in Goulburn jail, but in a plea bargain he pleaded guilty to threatening to kill ASIO officials.

His appearance on the show prompted a storm of protests in Coalition ranks.

In Tuesday's partyroom meeting, Mr Abbott told MPs that "we all know the program is a lefty lynch mob".

Sorry, this video has expired Q&A made 'very grave error of judgement': Turnbull

"What our national broadcaster has done is give a platform to a convicted criminal and terrorist sympathiser," he said in a press conference.

"They have given this individual, this disgraceful individual, a platform, and in so doing I believe the national broadcaster has badly let us down.

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"I think the ABC does have to have a long, hard look at itself and to answer a question which I have posed before — whose side are you on?"

Last year, the Prime Minister berated the ABC as taking "everyone's side but Australia's" over its coverage of Australia's spying on Indonesian officials and unconfirmed claims that asylum seekers had suffered burns due to mistreatment in a boat turn-back operation.

Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who has responsibility for the national broadcaster, said he believed the Australian Federal Police should be involved in the review of Q&A.

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"I have grave concerns too about the fact that Mr Mallah was there apparently without any thorough security checks, participating in that audience," he said.

"I'm not jumping to any conclusion here but the fact is that we have to take safety and physical security very seriously."

Mr Turnbull told the party room he had spoken directly to ABC managing director Mark Scott, to Q&A host Tony Jones and had written to ABC chairman James Spigelman.

Liberal senator Cory Bernardi called on his colleagues to boycott the show.

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Heated exchanges on live television

In heated exchanges broadcast on Monday night, Mr Mallah questioned Mr Ciobo, the parliamentary secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, about Australia's proposed new citizenship laws.

"As the first man in Australia to be charged with terrorism under the harsh Liberal Howard government in 2003, I was subject to solitary confinement, a 22-hour lockdown, dressed in most times in an orange overall and treated like a convicted terrorist while under the presumption of innocence," Mr Mallah said during the program.

"I had done and said some stupid things, including threatening to kidnap and kill, but in 2005 I was acquitted of those terrorism charges. What would have happened if my case had been decided by the minister himself and not the courts?"

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Mr Ciobo replied: "From memory, I thought you were acquitted on a technicality rather than it being on the basis of a substantial finding of fact.

"But I'm happy to look you straight in the eye and say that I'd be pleased to be part of the Government that would say that you were out of the country.

"I would sleep very soundly at night with that point of view."

Mr Mallah responded by saying it was Mr Ciobo who should leave the country for having such views, and said Federal Government policies were forcing young Muslims to leave Australia and fight for Islamic State.

He also admitted having travelled to Syria to meet with people fighting in the region.

Director of ABC Television Richard Finlayson said the live broadcast meant it was difficult to review Mr Mallah's comments before they aired.

"In attempting to explore important issues about the rights of citizens and the role of the Government in fighting terrorism, the Q&A program made an error in judgement in allowing Zaky Mallah to join the audience and ask a question," Mr Finlayson said in a statement.

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Mr Finlayson praised Jones for ruling the Mr Mallah's comments about radicalisation out of order.

"Tony Jones correctly and immediately ruled a statement made by Mr Mallah as out of order. Q&A will continue to raise issues that are provocative and controversial," he said.

After the show Mr Mallah, who has previously attracted criticism for tweeting about gang-raping journalists Rita Panahi and Miranda Devine, tweeted: "I would pay to see that Minister dumped on ISIS territory in Iraq".

His appearance on Q&A resulted in a social media backlash with members of the Muslim community saying Mr Mallah's appearance would have a negative impact.

Muslim lawyer Mariam Veiszadeh tweeted: "For crying out loud Zachy!! You don't speak for us!"

Mallah stands by his comments

In a pre-recorded interview with Network Ten program The Project that aired on Tuesday night, Mr Mallah said he did not take responsibility for any people seeing his comments as a call to arms.

The show's co-host Waleed Aly described his comments as irresponsible, but Mr Mallah disagreed.

"Australia champions freedom of speech and I definitely had my say last night, and I expressed my views in the best way I did, the best way I could," he said.

"Maybe the tone of voice was a bit harsh but I stand by my words. I stand by everything I said last night.

"Anyone who wants to go and travel to Syria and to Iraq to join ISIS, don't go.

"It's an organisation that has hijacked Islam. It's an organisation that has hijacked the jihad."