Labor scum MP Brendan O'Connor sorry over Tony Abbott 'stunt' remark

Tony Abbott prepares to help contain the Deans Gap fire. Picture: Dan Himbrechts Source: News Limited

FEDERAL Labor minister Brendan O'Connor has apologised for calling Tony Abbott's volunteer fire fighting a "stunt".

Mr Abbott has delayed his annual holiday to volunteer with the Davidson Rural Fire Brigade at Nowra, in southern NSW.

Mr Abbott has been a volunteer with his local brigade since 2000, served as its deputy captain before becoming Opposition Leader in 2009 and has direct experience fighting fires.

The Opposition Leader said yesterday on Twitter: "I'm now on my way to Sydney to be on standby with my local fire brigade."

Mr O'Connor retweeted Mr Abbott's message but added the tag "standbystunt".

Tony Abbott is briefed by the fire commander at Nowra RFS headquarters with the Davidson Rural Fire Service team. Picture: Dan Himbrechts

The minister deleted the message from his Twitter account and issued an apology today.

"Apologies for any offence. I respect and acknowledge the critical work of all our volunteer firefighters including Tony Abbott," Mr O'Connor wrote.

Mr Abbott issued a five-paragraph media release stating that he had been deployed to Nowra to assist with the bushfires.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott arrives at the Nowra RFS headquarters with the Davidson Rural Fire Service team. Picture: Dan Himbrechts