Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern has described rugby star Israel Folau's anti-gay tirades on social media as "damaging" and says she totally disagrees.
Ardern was asked at a press conference on Thursday about Folau's posts which were quickly condemned by his employer Rugby Australia.
"Obviously at a personal level I clearly don't agree with what he said, and [I'm] very mindful of the fact that he is for many a role model. He's a person in a position of influence and I think that with that comes responsibility," Ardern said.
"I'm particularly mindful of young people who are members of our rainbow community, there is a lot of vulnerability there. As I say, I totally disagree with what he's said and the way he's using his platform.
"Ultimately these are matters for Australia, not for us, but we can hold our views on what he's said."
Asked whether it was hate speech, Ardern described the comments as "damaging".
On Wednesday Folau posted a banner on Instagram warning "drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars and fornicators" among others that hell awaits them unless they repent.
"Those that are living in Sin will end up in Hell unless you repent. Jesus Christ loves you and is giving you time to turn away from your sin and come to him," his post says.
A Twitter post has the same message but includes a news bulletin about Tasmania becoming first state or territory in Australia to make the inclusion of gender optional on birth certificates.
The bill was passed in Tasmania's parliament on Wednesday afternoon despite the opposition of the Liberal state government. The laws remove the requirement for transgender people to have sexual reassignment surgery in order to have a new gender recognised.
Rugby Australia released a statement late on Wednesday night condemning the devout Christian.
"Rugby Australia is aware of a post made by Israel Folau on his Instagram account this afternoon," the governing body said.
"The content within the post is unacceptable. It does not represent the values of the sport and is disrespectful to members of the rugby community.
"The Rugby Australia Integrity Unit has been engaged on the matter tonight."
Folau, the husband of New Zealand Silver Ferns netballer Maria Folau, was in hot water a year ago for posting anti-gay messages on social media, most notably one in early April which included a comment that God's plan for gay people was Hell - unless they repented.
He was involved in talks with Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle, who expressed her disapproval of his posts, while Wallabies coach Michael Cheika also spoke to him, later telling reporters the messages were not going to be an ongoing issue.
The issue delayed the signing of a new contract, but a four-year-deal was eventually sorted. The Sydney Morning Herald reported Folau was likely to have settled for a slightly smaller overall deal than the previous three-year, seven-figure-per-season agreement he signed in 2015. It also understood there were beefed-up social media protocols he must observe. There had been negative feedback from some Rugby Australia, Wallabies and NSW Waratahs sponsors over his comments.