Abbott slams 'smutty' Trump comments

Former prime minister Tony Abbott says Donald Trump's "smutty" comments about women are "absolutely reprehensible", but wants to refrain from making comments about the US election.

"It's not a good look ... for former Australian prime ministers to be buying in to elections overseas," he told ABC's 730 program.

He said it was important that Australia had the best possible relations with the future American president.

"And that's why I think we should try to avoid offering a gratuitous commentary," he said.

"Of course the smutty stuff that came out last week is absolutely reprehensible.

"But, in the end, the leader of America, the president of the US, is the leader of the free world and whoever that person is, the Australian government needs to work very closely with him or her."

Last week, Mr Abbott said many of Mr Trump's policy positions were "reasonable enough" and that his supporters were "not deplorables" but voters just wanting to see change in America.