Tony Abbott has taken aim at Foreign Minister Julie Bishop's "disappointing" comments about the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.
The former prime minister said it was "not good enough" for Ms Bishop to argue people should wait for an investigation into how the plane was shot down to conclude before forming views on the evidence.
Mr Abbott said it was "absolutely clear" Russia was behind the 2014 attack over eastern Ukraine which killed 298 people, including 38 Australians.
"For too long, the Russians have been getting away with murder. Literally getting away with murder," he told 2GB radio on Wednesday.
"This wasn't a tragedy, it was an atrocity."
Mr Abbott said until Russia makes appropriate restitutions and shows remorse, the country should be in the "diplomatic dog box".
His comments came after New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters claimed there was no evidence Russia was involved in the attack.
It prompted Ms Bishop to state the investigation was ongoing and it was not possible to form a view about the evidence, as it has not been made public.
"We know more than enough to know who was responsible for this," Mr Abbott said.
"It's bizarre of the New Zealand foreign minister to make excuses for the Russians."
Labor foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong said this week there was compelling evidence in the joint investigation team's report that Russia was involved.
"We owe it to the families of those killed in this senseless and criminal act to do everything possible to ensure those responsible for the downing of MH17 are identified, and brought to justice," she said.
