Bishop and Plibersek in war of words over 'disappearing island'

Eneko or Anebok? Both are part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean.

More correctly, Anebok used to be, until it disappeared into the sea, a victim, Labor deputy leader Tanya Plibersek says, of climate change and rising sea levels.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop enjoyed some sport at Ms Plibersek's expense in question time yesterday, brandishing a photo of an island very much above sea level and featuring houses, lawns, picnic tables and a toilet block.

"It seems to me that when the deputy leader of the Opposition makes a claim, people had better test it very carefully," she said.

But that island wasn't Anebok, which has gone. It was Eneko, which still very much exists.

It seems the mix-up stems from an error in transcript of an ABC interview Ms Plibersek made last month.

Ms Plibersek accused the minister of trying to score cheap question time points and a few laughs from her colleagues on a topic of great seriousness.

"The disastrous effects of climate change are no joke, especially for our Pacific Island neighbours," she said in a statement, adding that the foreign minister should be ashamed of herself.

"As world leaders are conducting important talks in Paris about action on climate change, she is making a mockery of the issue back here in Canberra and insulting our friends in the Pacific Islands on the way through."

With AAP