Malcolm Turnbull concedes he has one thing in common with Francis Underwood, the ruthless American president played by Kevin Spacey in the House of Cards television series.

Asked whether he was insulted that he and his wife, Lucy, had been dubbed as the new power couple and compared to Francis and Clare Underwood, Mr Turnbull said the only thing they had in common was a rowing machine.

David Koch, the host of Channel Seven's Sunrise television show, opened the exchange on Monday when he asked the freshly minted Australian Prime Minister if he felt the comparison was an "insult or compliment".