Opposition leader Bill Shorten said that "given the uncertainty around this disturbing event, and the results of investigations into it still pending" he doesn't believe Australia's attendance is "appropriate at this time".

The Future Investment Summit (FII) is in crisis after key sponsors pulled out, and finance ministers from France and the Netherlands announced they wouldn't attend. On Thursday US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin followed suit.

"It is appropriate that as a country we send a strong signal of our concern over Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance, and our expectation that the government of Saudi Arabia provides a forthright and accurate account of what has occurred," Mr Shorten said in a statement today.

On Saturday Saudi Arabian officials released a statement saying that Khashoggi died after a fight broke out in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. The journalist disappeared after entering the building.

In Senate question time on Thursday Trade Minister Simon Birmingham, who is not attending the conference, opened the door to further action.

"I will have a look at what public advice Austrade may be giving in relation to that event at present, although of course attendance at it by non-government organisations or businesses is a matter for those entities," Mr Birmingham said.

The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance CEO, Paul Murphy, on Friday sent a letter to Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Senator Birmingham calling for the government to withdraw from the summit.

Australian Associated Press