As the possibility of a Trump presidency looms, Australian opposition leader Bill Shorten's comments about the Republican nominee may come back to bite him.
In a speech earlier this month, Shorten blasted Trump's comments about women and said he was "entirely unsuitable" to be president.
"I know I am not the only one relieved that with every passing day, with every disgusting, demeaning comment Mr Trump makes, the possibility of him being president fades,” Shorten said.
“By his own words and his own actions, he has confirmed the worst fears of millions in the United States and beyond its borders – he is entirely unsuitable to be leader of the free world.”
Shorten also had strong words to say about Trump during the Australian election campaign earlier this year, when he described some of Trump's views as "barking mad" during an interview with Darwin radio station Hot 100FM.
Asked if he had a contingency plan for a Trump presidency, he said "I once got a letter from a constituent that said, ‘What plans do you have if alien life make contact with Earth?’."
"They’re sort of scenarios you hope don’t emerge."
Speaking to Sky News on Wednesday evening, foreign minister Julie Bishop said Shorten's comments were "deeply regrettable" and that the government had been "far more measured".
On Monday, government MP Luke Howarth said Shorten's comments meant he should resign if Trump is elected president.
"Bill Shorten cannot work with a president Trump, he doesn't have the ability to build rapport with him," Howarth said.
Speaking to the ABC Insiders program on Sunday, Shorten was asked about his comments, and said he hopes Hillary Clinton wins.
"Having said that, the American alliance is a stronger than a particular personality in either Australia or America, and obviously, Australia would work whoever the American people choose," he said.
Asked if Trump represented a security risk, Shorten said "I sincerely hope not, but let's worry about that after the Americans have voted. It's this close now."
Government ministers have been more circumspect in their commentary on the US election – with the exception of environment minister Josh Frydenberg, who labelled him a "dropkick".
However, most have criticised individual comments, not the man himself. Prime minister Malcolm Turnbull labelled Trump's "grab them by the pussy" comments as "loathsome", while minister for women Michaelia Cash said they were "demeaning, they were disappointing and they were wrong, full stop".
On Tuesday night, minister for defence industry Christopher Pyne said he thought a Clinton victory would be "best for Australia".