Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has been forced to defend a third minister in just five months.

Labor today will question Mr Turnbull’s judgment as more information emerges about an August, 2014 “private” trip to Beijing by then Defence Minister Stuart Robert and a businessman mate.

Today, there are claims a Chinese website reveals Mr Robert made official statements supporting the deal and spoke with at least one Chinese minister on the matter.

Mr Robert is confident he has not acted inappropriately.

But Opposition Leader Bill Shorten today said Mr Turnbull should sack Mr Robert, now Minister for Human Services, and not “outsource” a decision to a public service inquiry.

“It’s time for Malcolm Turnbull to show the leadership he promised and sack Stuart Robert,” said Mr Shorten.

“He shouldn’t be outsourcing his responsibilities as Prime Minister to the public service. Malcolm Turnbull promoted him, now he’s refusing to deal with him.”

The inquiry into the matter by a senior public servant has been underway for only a few days, but Cabinet Secretary Arthur Sinodinos revealed the Government’s frustration last night when he told ABC radio, “It would be good if he could report sooner rather than later.”

Business or leisure, the August, 2014 visit to Beijing by Mr Robert has been no pleasure for the Prime Minister.

Mr Turnbull has been forced to defend a third minister in just five months, following the demotion of former Cities’ Minister Jamie Briggs for a late-night incident in Hong Kong, and the suspension of Special Minister of State Mal Brough pending a police inquiry into matters related to former Speaker Peter Slipper.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Stuart Robert during question time at Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday.Source:AAP

Labor yesterday was pressing Mr Robert in Parliament over the 2014 trip he made to Beijing with a major Liberal Party donor and mining investor Paul Marks of Nimrod Resources.

The Opposition is charging Mr Robert was using his position as Assistant Defence Minister to endorser a deal between Nimrod — in which he had shares — and the state-owned Chinese outfit Minmetals.

On its website the Chinese company feted Mr Robert under his ministerial title, he presented a medal to a Chinese official, and was prominent during the formal settlement of the business deal.

The central Labor accusation is that it looks more like a business trip than anything else.

As Labor MP Nick Champion interjected yesterday: “Sounds like a terrible holiday.”

Yesterday Mr Robert twice declined to reveal whether he logged the trip to China as “private” travel.

Mr Robert was asked in Parliament how he filled in the section off the standard departing passenger card which asks, “Main reason for overseas travel”.

Shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus today referred to a statement from Mr Robert’s office: “Mr Robert was on approved leave and attended in a private capacity”.

“Minister, is this accurate?” Mr Dreyfus asked. “I thank the member for his question regarding a visit I undertook overseas in a personal capacity in 2014,” replied Mr Robert.

“Can I say to the House, I am confident I have not acted inappropriately and as the PM said yesterday, this matter has been referred to the highest public servant in the land, Dr Martin Parkinson for review.

“I will fully assist the secretary in his review.”

He referred to this statement in response to further questions.