Wong says Trump is 'interesting character'

Penny Wong has stepped back from comment made by her leader Bill Shorten who says US presidential hopeful Donald Trump is barking mad.

"He's an interesting character, isn't he," Labor's foreign affairs spokeswoman told Sky News on Friday, adding that she was a very polite person.

Senator Wong said the US alliance and Australia's relationship with Washington was bigger, stronger and more important than any single individual and that was why it had lasted for 75 years.