Put McGuire comments in context: Bishop

Eddie McGuire's disparaging comments about journalist Caroline Wilson should be put in context, and commentary around the issue needs to be more robust, deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop says.

The Collingwood president and broadcaster has publicly apologised for controversial on-air comments the AFL deemed disparaging and inappropriate, after saying he would pay $50,000 to see Wilson stay under a pool of iced water, before going on to describe Wilson as "like a black widow" spider.

"If we're going to take offence at every silly, offhand remark or attempt at humour, then we're not focusing on the really important issues of the day," Ms Bishop told reporters in Sydney on Monday.