Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has accused the prime minister of tarnishing the significance of D-Day.
In his weekly video message, Mr Abbott discusses his impending visit to France for the 70th anniversary of the military landings before seguing into his further travels to the US and Canada and the government's commitment to repealing carbon and mining taxes.
Mr Shorten told reporters in Canberra on Monday the blending of the issues was disappointing.
"Many Australians are disappointed that an event as significant as D-Day has been tarnished by domestic politics," he said.
"It is disrespectful and inappropriate."
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Mr Abbott's trip was for a number of reasons and it would be inappropriate for him to hold press conferences canvassing each issue.
"He gave one statement (about) all the various aspects of his visit and I think that's appropriate," she told reporters.
Mr Abbott ends his video message by linking Australia's relationship to France, Canada and the US and the D-Day commemorations.
"We stood together at D-Day, we trade every day and we have always shared a commitment to democracy, to enterprise and to people's right to be free," he said.
Labor frontbencher Penny Wong said Mr Abbott's comments marked a new low.
