Turnbull refuses to use death cult phrase

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has refused to label Islamic State a 'death cult', a phrase which was a favourite of his predecessor Tony Abbott.

Malcolm Turnbull has declined to describe Islamic State as a "death cult".

The phrase was a favourite of the prime minister's predecessor Tony Abbott when speaking about Daesh.

"I'll use my own language: ISIL or Daesh is a violent, extremist terrorist organisation which is a threat both regionally and globally," Mr Turnbull told 3AW radio on Tuesday.