Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says he is "uneasy" about rugby international Israel Folau losing his job for expressing religious views.
Folau has been found guilty of breaching Rugby Australia rules for suggesting on social media that "drunks, homosexuals, fornicators" and other sinners would go to hell unless they repent.
He's expected to lose his $4million four-year RA contract and never play for the Wallabies again.
"On one hand, I think Israel Folau is entitled to his views and he shouldn't suffer an employment penalty for it, so I'm uneasy about that part of it," Mr Shorten said during the leaders' debate at the National Press Club on Wednesday night.
"But I also think that we've got to be mindful about the other side of the equation."
He said public figures needed to understand the hurt that their public comments could cause.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he also believed in the people exercising free speech responsibly.
"We have to exercise it responsibly and exercise it in a society such as ours with civility and due care and consideration to others," he said.
But the prime minister pointed out Folau was also subject to contractual obligations.
