Politicians from all major parties have joined a new parliamentary lobby group to advocate for a well-resourced and independent ABC.

The group, Parliamentary Friends of the ABC, was launched on Wednesday afternoon following ABC Managing Director Mark Scott's appearance at Senate estimates.

Nationals senator Bruce Scott, Chairman of the ABC Board Jim Spigelman, Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Labor MP Melissa Parke, and ABC managing director Mark Scott launch the Parliament Friends of the ABC group.

Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull gave a passionate defence of the public broadcaster in a speech to the 50-plus attendees, who included Senate powerbroker Clive Palmer. Mr Scott and ABC Chairman James Spigelman also attended the event.

Despite supporting the group at the launch, Mr Turnbull's office said the minister is not an official member of the group.