Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said on Thursday that Tony Abbott’s stance on Islam is tarnishing Australia’s image to the world. Shorten called for restraint on statements made by public figures, describing Abbott as a “very unusual man” who could be Australia’s version of Donald Trump.

Shorten said that since Abbott’s removal from the office, he “had been let off the leash.” He also said that it is time Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull started pulling Abbott back in line as it would look unjustified if the majorities dictated terms to minorities.

“This isn’t about tolerating terrorism or any of the dreadful acts we’ve seen -- everyone’s against that -- but in Australia it is always important that governments made up of majorities always respect minorities and don’t make them feel worse or somehow give a green light for other people to vilify minorities,” Shorten said during a media conference. “That isn’t part of religious freedom in this country.”

Shorten’s reaction was in response to Abbott’s speech in Singapore, in which he criticised the international response to ISIS in Syria and Iraq. The former prime minister also called for a “religious revolution” within Islam in a piece for News Corp.

"I don't know if he's Australia's version of Donald Trump but he's a very unusual man, Tony Abbott," Shorten said. "We shouldn't have a bar of what he says.

Shorten urged Abbott respect the fact that Australia is a country of all faiths and reminded him that his comments were not befitting of a former prime minister.

According to counterterrorism expert associate professor Nick O'Brien, Abbott’s comments were divisive and could even be counterproductive.

"My take on it – and I have spoken to members of the Islamic community about it – the timing of it is extremely unfortunate coming straight after comments by Donald Trump on Islamic State," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted him as saying.

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