Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has flagged changes that could allow capital city television networks to take over regional affiliates.

Angus Taylor, Liberal member for Hume, said he was pleased with a clarification by Mr Turnbull on Monday. "I can understand Malcolm's point about the media landscape changing but I think he is always quick to recognise that local content is incredibly important in regional areas and needs to be protected.

"I notice he has made a comment today reinforcing that and I think that allays any serious concerns I might have made.''

Mr Taylor, whose electorate is centred on Goulburn, said alternative ways were being used to distribute local news in communities, such as emailed newsletters.

''There are real risks for local content. When there is discussion about change, all of us regional MPs are very keen to make sure we don't detract from what little local content there already is,'' he said.

Calling for transparency on the complex issue, Canberra Labor MP Gai Brodtmann said: ''The Abbott government needs to tell us what it is proposing, rather than flying kites about what it might or might not do.''

Labor MP for Fraser Andrew Leigh said he was concerned about the way in which the government was conducting the discussion.

"It seems the conversations are taking place with quite a narrow range of interest groups and proposals are coming out through thought bubbles on Sunday morning talk shows, rather than properly considered proposals,'' he said.

"At the moment they're trying to have it all, with the suggestion of cutting regulation and boosting diversity. That is what you get by conducting debate through thought bubbles.

"We are certainly seeing some concerns from National MPs, who I suspect are better briefed on what the government has in mind,'' Mr Leigh said.

Liberal senator Zed Seselja was leading a delegation to Japan and was unavailable for comment, his spokeswoman said.

Liberal member for Eden-Monaro Peter Hendy was attending to family business interstate, his spokesman said.