Bill Shorten has labelled Malcolm Turnbull a troublemaker in a dispute between Victorian volunteer and professional firefighters.
But the prime minister has hit back, accusing the Labor leader of standing alongside militant unions and disrespecting volunteers.
The leaders are embroiled in a bitter dispute between the Country Fire Authority and the United Firefighters Union over employment terms volunteers fear will hand the union a veto over management decisions.
Mr Turnbull on Sunday joined a volunteer rally protesting the Andrews government's handling of the "extraordinary" row.
He's vowed to change workplace laws to protect volunteers from adverse impacts.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
The opposition leader said it was an issue for the state to deal with, taking his opponent to task for intervening.
"He's causing more trouble where there's already enough trouble existing at the moment," Mr Shorten told reporters in Melbourne on Monday.
Mr Turnbull warned the events in Victoria would see the men and women who "stand between Victorians and the inferno of the Australian bushfire" subordinated to the firefighters union.
"The Labor Party will do anything to advance the interests of the militant trade unions to whom it is responsible," he said, urging Mr Shorten to back changes to federal workplace laws.
