The prime minister has been accused of being insensitive in linking the commemorations to the government's policies on the carbon tax and red tape in a media release circulated yesterday.
The release, which opened with the statement that the D-day landings "changed the course of human history," also highlighted his plans to visit the United States, Canada and France.
"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," it read.
The release has since been pulled from the prime minister's website. It can be read in full at the end of this article.
A YouTube of Mr Abbott reading the script from the release remains online, but the title of the vidoe has been changed from "A message from the PM — 70th Anniversary of the D-Day" to "Visit to France, Canada and USA".
The release has been widely shared online, prompting response from politicians and voters on social media.
Mr Abbott has not responded to the reaction online.
Two tweets posted yesterday provided a link to the release on his site, as well a photo of himself with D-Day veterans.
A release dated May 31 now on the prime minister’s website carries no mention of government policies.
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