Cut out mob taunting of Goodes: Shorten

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has called on Australians who respect great athletes and believe in equality to discourage the kind of taunting to which Adam Goodes has been subjected.

The Sydney Swans player has been the target of a barrage of boos during matches this season, which many believe is racially motivated.

Mr Shorten told reporters in Sydney on Thursday that Goodes was a great Australian and footballer who happened to be indigenous and people needed to speak out against mob behaviour.