Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has defended the ABC's independence in the face of an attack by Tony Abbott on the national broadcaster, which the Prime Minister said ''instinctively takes everyone's side but Australia's''.

In comments that could be interpreted as a push back against Mr Abbott, Mr Turnbull said the ABC was rightly accountable to its board of directors and not politicians. ''What's the alternative? The [ABC] editor-in-chief becomes the prime minister?'' he said.

''Politicians, whether prime ministers or communications ministers, will often be unhappy with the ABC … but you can't tell them what to write.''

Mr Abbott said on Sydney radio that Australians wanted ''some basic affection for the home team''.