Questions have been raised about just how much the government knew about the ill treatment of Australian cattle in Indonesian slaughterhouses.

In a terse Senate estimates debate, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade chief Dennis Richardson indicated an awareness of the culture inside the slaughterhouses where cattle are routinely abused.

Liberal senator Russell Trood wanted to know if anyone within DFAT had spoken with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry about the issue.

"Certainly both the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have had discussions with Indonesian officials about it," Mr Richardson told the hearing on Wednesday night.

"Officials were aware that standards in Indonesia were not of the same standards as here in Australia.

"What precise practices people were or were not aware of, I don't know."

Earlier this week, outrage swept the nation after video of cattle being systematically abused was shown by Four Corners.

Department official Hugh Borrowman was also asked about what, if anything, the government knew.

"The question of standards has been part of the dialogue," Mr Borrowman said.

The committee's Labor chair, Mark Bishop, argued the matter was not one for DFAT.

"It's a portfolio responsibility of the Department of Agriculture," Senator Bishop said.

He was backed by the government's representative at the hearing, Jan McLucas.

Senator Trood argued it was a matter involving Australia and another nation.

"I learn from Mr Borrowman that there has been a lot of information coming to the department," Senator Trood said.

"We seem to have a difference of view here."