Australia's spy chief has told politicians from the ruling conservative party to tone down their criticism of Islam as it could pose a national security risk, AFP reports.
Debate over anti-Muslim rhetoric in Australia has spiked after ousted prime minister Tony Abbott last week wrote in a newspaper column that "we can't remain in denial about the massive problem with Islam".
His remarks followed incendiary comments by US Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump, including for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the United States after a shooting rampage in California.