Aussie PM defends giving AU$5 to homeless man

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has said he is sorry if people thought he shouldn't have given money to a man begging on a Melbourne street.

"I felt sorry for the guy," he told Neil Mitchell on 3AW radio yesterday, after he was photographed shaking the man's hands and giving him $5.

"It was a human reaction and I'm sorry if that has disappointed some people."

Whenever he sees someone in that situation, Turnbull said he always thinks "there but for the grace of God go I".

The now-infamous photograph was brought to the attention of social media by The Guardian columnist Van Badham. Badham posted it on Facebook with the caption “Check Malcolm's right hand, then check his left hand – and you'll know why this photo doesn't even need a caption.”

The image shows Malcolm Turnbull placing a $5 note into the cup of a homeless man with his right hand. In the Prime Minister's left hand, however, is a thick wad of cash including $50, $20 and $5 notes.

The gesture was met with backlash after some people questioned why he did not give up more.

"Five bucks for a homeless dude whilst he gives big biz [business] fifty billion dollars. Nice one Mr Harbour Side Mansion," one person wrote. Others have taken an opposite stance, instead supporting the prime minister and calling out those criticism his gesture.

"Most people would walk straight past this homeless man and not give a cent!!!! It's not about how much it's about the thought to begin with," Emily Audino wrote.