Former Liberal Prime Minister John Howard has hit back at critics of Tony Abbott's controversial tribute to the late Bob Hawke, describing the reactions as "outrage for the sake of outrage".

The Member for Warringah came under fire a day before the federal election for claiming Mr Hawke had a "Labor heart, but a Liberal head".

Speaking to reporters on Friday about Mr Hawke's death, Mr Howard said he found the statement to be "completely unexceptional".

AAP

"It seems as if there's a cohort of people in the Australian community at the moment - probably not friends of the Liberal Party - who just want to seize on anything Tony Abbott says and criticise it, irrespective of the merit and the substance involved," he said.

Mr Howard also used the opportunity to take a swipe at the Labor Party during his reign, who he said opposed his government's attempts at economic reform.

READ MORE 'His legacy will endure forever': Australia remembers former PM Bob Hawke

The backlash began on Thursday evening when Mr Abbott released a statement on Twitter following the news of Mr Hawke's death, describing him as "a great prime minister".

After listing what he believes to be Mr Hawke's key achievements - financial deregulation, tariffs cuts, and the beginning of privatisation - the Liberal MP claimed they "went against the Labor grain".

Statement on the death of The Hon Bob Hawke AC, GCL: pic.twitter.com/M8fzbFlVTE — Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) May 16, 2019

"Certainly, the Coalition supported nearly all of his bug reforms, helping to make his tenure a time of economic revitalisation," he said.

Mr Hawke was Labor's longest running leader and is widely believed to be one of Australia's most loved politicians. He died peacefully at his Sydney home on Thursday, aged 89.

READ MORE How 'Hawkie’s' potent mix of political and personal made him one of our greatest leaders

Appearing on ABC News on Friday morning, Mr Abbott deflected questions about whether his statement was inappropriate and instead repeated that Mr Hawke "was a wonderful prime minister".

"He was the best Labor prime minister ever. And the challenge for all of us is to be worthy of the greats of the past. And that's what I certainly hope to do," he said.

Earlier, Prime Minister Scott Morrison defended Mr Abbott's statement on ABC News, explaining that it was not intended to be political point-scoring but "more about the broad spectrum of views he [Mr Hawke] was able to embrace".

"And how all Australians from either the Liberal or Labor side were able to appreciate what he was about," he said.

Appearing on the same program a short time later, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten had a clear message on the subject: "Bob Hawke had a Labor head and a Labor heart".

"I know Bob, so I don't think he would have paid too much attention to what Tony Abbott said, to be honest," Mr Shorten said, adding that he thought Mr Abbott was under pressure.

Catching up with Bob Hawke in 2015.



He had the capacity to reach out to everyone across party lines. He was a great Australian. Margie and I extend our deepest sympathies to Blanche and his family. pic.twitter.com/dEjQ6IL6aa — Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) May 16, 2019

At the time of publishing, Mr Abbott's original tweet had garnered almost 5,000 comments, most of them critical, with some describing the statement as "disgusting" and "disgraceful".

Victorian Labor MP Nick Staikos responded that Mr Abbott was "complete trash".

You lack grace. In fact, you are complete trash. — Nick Staikos MP (@NStaikos) May 16, 2019

"Hang your head in shame Tony for trying to use Bobs passing for political point scoring," wrote another Twitter user.

About an hour after tweeting the original statement, Mr Abbott followed up with a photo of himself and Mr Hawke in 2015 with a second tribute.

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"He had the capacity to reach out to everyone across party lines. He was a great Australian. Margie and I extend our deepest sympathies to Blanche and his family," he wrote.

In 2010, speaking to reporters, Mr Hawke said he liked Mr Abbott personally but added that he was "mad as a cut snake".

The former PM is facing a tough battle this weekend as he goes up against Independent Zali Steggal to retain the seat he has held since 1994.

Mr Abbott's office has been contacted for comment.