Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has slapped down Pauline Hanson for showering praise on Russian strongman Vladimir Putin and likening the federal government's child vaccination programs to a "dictatorship".

Issuing rare criticism of the One Nation leader, Mr Turnbull said Mr Putin's Russia was responsible for the "shocking international crime" of shooting down the MH17 airliner – killing 298 people, including 38 Australian citizens – and was not worthy of the Queensland senator's admiration.

His comments came after Ms Hanson questioned the well-documented evidence of Russia's involvement in the attack, and suggested Mr Putin could not be held accountable because he did not "push the button".

"I respect the man. He is very patriotic towards his country, the people love him, he is doing so well for the country. So many Australians here want that leadership here in Australia," she told the ABC's Insiders program.