Opposition Leader Tony Abbott is refusing to back away from his spat with the Prime Minister over his travel plans to Afghanistan, accusing her of a "carefully laid political ambush".

And after yesterday accusing Julia Gillard of "Machiavellian bastardry", Mr Abbott today levelled the same accusation at the entire Labor party.

Mr Abbott and Ms Gillard have been at war over the matter for more than a week after news leaked that he refused an invitation to visit the troops with her.

When asked why he had refused the invite, Mr Abbott initially had to cite jetlag concerns, because security issues prevented him from revealing he had planned his own separate trip.

He has since admitted his excuse was a poor choice of words.

Ms Gillard has denied being responsible for the leak but Mr Abbott is today not stepping down from his accusation.

"It was I think a carefully laid political ambush. I just think that this kind of thing detracts from our polity," he told 2GB radio.

"The Prime Minister was under absolutely no misunderstanding about my plans and intention to visit the troops and that's why this suggestion that I was not interested was just so wrong."

Ms Gillard yesterday rejected Mr Abbott's claims of "Machiavellian bastardy", saying it was a colourful phrase that was not warranted.

Mr Abbott steered clear of repeating it yesterday but did not do the same today.

"There is no doubt about it, when it comes to Machiavellian bastardry, the Labor Party are world champions," he said.

Speaking in Brisbane today Ms Gillard denied she was part of an ambush and said she did not want to comment on the matter any further.

The controversy over Mr Abbott's travel plans coincided with a renewed focus on the level of Australia's commitment to the war and the charging of three troops over the deaths of civilians in a firefight last year.

Mr Abbott says the Federal Government should be ensuring the soldiers have enough legal representation.

"We must be very, very slow to judge people who are acting under fire in the fog of battle," he said.

"The second point I make is that it is up to the Prime Minister to assure the public that justice is being done to these three soldiers."