WHAT IS GOING ON BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND TURKEY?
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told an election rally held on the Gallipoli Peninsula that Australia and New Zealand had sent troops to the area in the First World War with anti-Muslim motives.
"Your grandparents came, some of them returned in coffins," the president said. "If you come as well like your grandfathers, be sure that you will be gone like your grandfathers."
He also called on New Zealand to restore the death penalty for the Australian accused of attacking Christchurch mosques, warned that Turkey would make the perpetrator pay if New Zealand did not, and said the attack was evidence of a global anti-Muslim sentiment. Mr Erdogan has also reportedly been playing clips of the live-streamed video of the mosque attack at political rallies since it occurred on Friday.
Turkey will hold local elections on March 31.
HOW HAS AUSTRALIA RESPONDED?
Prime Minister Scott Morrison hauled Turkish ambassador Korhan Karakoc in for a dressing down on Wednesday over the comments he decried as "highly offensive to Australians and highly reckless in this very sensitive environment".
He also said it went against the promise of Turkey's first president Mustafa Kemal Ataturk - etched in stone at Gallipoli - that soldiers who died there were in the soil of a friendly country. Mr Morrison said he did not accept the excuses offered that Mr Erdogan had made the remarks in the heat of the moment in an election context, and Australia was still considering its options.
He wants Mr Erdogan to clarify and withdraw his comments and for reporting on Turkish state-owned television that misrepresents Australia's position to be taken down.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said they were "foolish and offensive remarks" to make at a time when New Zealanders were mourning.
WHAT DID THE AMBASSADOR SAY?
Mr Karakoc told reporters on his way out of Parliament House: "We had a frank exchange with the prime minister and the Gallipoli spirit will always remain."
WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?
Officials are reviewing travel advice for Turkey, where thousands of Australians would be planning to go next month for Anzac Day services. Other diplomatic options available would include asking for a formal apology or kicking out the ambassador.
