When Malcolm Turnbull was snapped dropping $5 into the cup of a homeless man in Melbourne it unleased a storm of criticism on social media.
He was either too generous or too mean, critics screamed.
A week later, the head of a Sydney homeless charity has come to the prime minister's defence and with a warning as well.
Wayside Chapel pastor Graham Long says criticising actions such as Mr Turnbull's impromptu donation risks inoculating Australians against genuine acts of compassion.
"Guard against the constant drip of the media that would cheat you out of your humanity," Rev Long warned in an email newsletter on Thursday.
"Imagine the story in the media if the PM had put $100 in the cup?
"Our culture will be crippled and miserable when we become incapable of seeing an act of compassion."
When Rev Long took over as Wayside Chapel's chief executive, the charity was in a dire state with a building in disrepair and next-to-no staff.
The organisation helps homeless people and those marginalised by mental health or substance-abuse issues in Kings Cross and Bondi.
It received some government funding but half the project to rebuild was funded by private citizens - and the first to get out their chequebooks were Malcolm and Lucy Turnbull.
Since then, Mr Turnbull has turned up often to help the Wayside Chapel, occasionally with media in tow but more often without.
"Many times since those days when we were on the brink, the Turnbulls have helped us with breathtaking generosity," Rev Long said.
"I happen to know that the help we've received is just the tip of their charitable iceberg. 'Stingy' is not a word I'd ever use to describe our PM."
Mr Turnbull has said he felt sorry for the Melbourne man when he spotted him on the street and that every time he sees someone in that situation, he thinks "there but for the grace of God go I".
