Triggs was offered a role: Bishop

The row surrounding Human Rights Commissioner Gillian Triggs has deepened, with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop confirming a "role" was raised as part of discussions into whether she maintained the confidence of the Government.

After days of Government denials that Professor Triggs was offered a job in return for quitting as head of the independent office, Ms Bishop told Parliament a role was raised in discussions with the commissioner that related to international affairs.

Australian Federal Police is weighing whether to begin an investigation into allegations Attorney-General George Brandis improperly offered an inducement to Professor Triggs to quit.

Offering an inducement to an independent statutory officer is a serious offence which potentially carries a jail term.

Under questioning from Labor yesterday, Ms Bishop maintained there was no "job" offered to Professor Triggs in return for her resignation. Ms Bishop appeared to suggest some alternative position had been discussed for the commissioner.

"There was no request for her to resign and there was no inducement offered," she said.

"A role was raised that related to international affairs."

The wording was seized on by the Opposition, which demanded to know the difference between a "job" and a "role".

Ms Bishop claimed there was a world of difference, while maintaining no specific job offer was made to Professor Triggs.

Labor wrote to the AFP this week calling for an investigation into the case, arguing a job offer in return for a resignation might constitute "corrupt" conduct.

Professor Triggs told a Senate hearing this week she rejected a "disgraceful proposal" to resign in return for another unspecified government job.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has accused Professor Triggs of a "political stitch-up" after she produced a report detailing the suffering of asylum seeker children in detention camps.