PM Abbott’s threat to Putin goes global

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has been labelled "incompetent" by Russian media for saying he planned to shirtfront President Vladimir Putin.

The threat to take on the Russian leader made headlines around the world.

Even before the comment, Russian news agency Pravda described Tony Abbott as "insolent ... arrogant... incompetent ... impolite ... unpolished ... gross" and said Mr Putin should "...wash his hands and sterilise them after shaking the paw offered by the Australian Prime Minister."

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten defended Mr Abbott's comment.

"I'm sure if he had his time again he'd use different words," he said.

WA Premier Colin Barnett said it was probably not the best choice of words.

"He didn't mean it in a literal sense," he said.

PUP Senator Jacqui Lambie had a different perspective.

"Both of them are acting like testosterone-fuelled boys from high school that are on a football field," she said.

A senior Russian diplomat based in Canberra said any showdown would be a battle of the minds, not muscle.

A one-on-one meeting between the two during the G20 has not yet been organised.