There was a collective groan on The Verdict last night, after Amanda Vanstone’s ‘appalling’ and ‘insensitive’ swipe at Bindi Irwin.

On last night’s episode, the former senator took aim at Bindi while she was being praised by host Karl Stefanovic for winning the U.S version of Dancing With The Stars.

‘Give me a break,’ Ms Vanstone interrupted. ‘She’s not the only kid whose father died.’

‘It doesn’t make her special.’

Neil Mitchell has slammed Vanstone’s comments.

‘I’ve always respected Amanda Vanstone but that was a bad error,’ he said. 

‘Have some sympathy, some compassion towards the kid.’

Listen to Neil’s full editorial

But the 3AW phone lines rang hot, with many callers who have lost parents ringing in to defend or criticise Vanstone.

Entertainment reporter Pete Ford also sided against Vanstone, saying her comments were ‘quite repulsive’.

‘I just think that’s a pretty low line to deliver,’ he told Ross and John.

Listen to Pete Ford’s comments on 3AW Breakfast