Israel Folau criticised for 'appalling' Australia bushfire remarks

Rugby player Israel Folau has drawn anger for linking Australia's bushfire crisis to the nation's same-sex marriage and abortion laws.

Folau, who was sacked by Australia คาสิโน in May for making anti-gay remarks on social media, described the fires as a "little taste of God's judgement".

Six people have died since last month in blazes raging in eastern Australia.Prime Minister Scott Morrison condemned Folau's remarks as "appallingly insensitive".

"He is a free citizen, he can say whatever he likes but that doesn't mean he can't have regard to the grievance [and] offence this would have caused to the people whose homes have burnt down," Mr Morrison told reporters on Monday.

Folau, who is Christian, gave a sermon sagame  in his Sydney church on Sunday in which he said Australia's decision to pass abortion and same-sex marriage laws had gone against "God's word", adding the nation needed to "repent".

"Look how rapid, these bushfires, these droughts, all these things have come, in a short period of time. You think it's a coincidence or not?," he said.

His comments sparked outrage from many Australians online, who noted the widespread devastation of the fires.