VETERAN broadcaster Ray Martin, the leader of an independent review into the ABC, has criticised Tony Abbott's ban on his ministers appearing on the Q&A program.

On Channel 7's Sunrise program on Tuesday, Martin defended the ABC when asked about the upcoming review and described Tony Abbott's boycott of Q&A as "silly".

"I thought it was about time for a little balance," Mr Martin said.

"I thought the rants and raves were a little crazy about that thing so it was time to at least have a look at what it was about ... it's clearly a political issue at the moment in terms of terror. I think we've already started looking towards the next election."

Mr Abbott, who prevented Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce from appearing on Monday's night's Q&A, would not say whether he would deliver the same edict to Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull - one of the scheduled guests for next week's Q&A.