Prime Minister Scott Morrison has distanced his office from any close involvement in the so-called sports rorts scandal that has engulfed his government for a fortnight and threatens to end the ministerial career of Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie.

Mr Morrison was bombarded with questions over the saga at the National Press Club of Australia on Wednesday, following revelations Sport Australia warned the federal government that Senator McKenzie’s interference in a $100 million grants program was compromising its independence.

Mr Morrison said the allegations raised in an Australian National Audit Office report two weeks ago were a "serious matter", but rejected claims made in the past week that his office directed Senator McKenzie where to award funding.

"All we did was provide information based on the representations made to us. As every Prime Minister has always done," Mr Morrison said.