SYDNEY - AUSTRALIA'S Prime Minister Kevin Rudd voiced outrage on Thursday over a television comedy sketch which lampooned children with terminal illnesses.

He said makers of 'The Chaser's War On Everything' should 'hang their heads in shame' over the segment, which poked fun at charities that grant sick children their dying wish.

'I actually don't mind 'The Chaser' taking the mickey out of me or any other politician at any time or any place, that's fine, that's fair game,' Mr Rudd told reporters.

'But having a go at kids with a terminal illness is really beyond the pale, absolutely beyond the pale. These guys collectively should get up and hang their heads in shame, it's just wrong.'

The programme's makers and public broadcaster ABC have apologised for the 'Make a Realistic Wish' sketch, which prompted a flood of complaints from viewers.

The segment showed pictures of children in hospital beds and ended with the line: 'Why go to any trouble when they're only going to die anyway?'

'The ABC and The Chaser did not intend to hurt those who have been affected by the terminal illness of a child,' a joint statement said. 'We acknowledge the distress this segment has caused and we apologise to anyone we have upset.'

Make-A-Wish Australia also complained about the 'offensive' sketch by 'The Chaser' team, which made its name by sending a comedian dressed as Osama bin Laden to ex-US president George W. Bush's hotel during the 2007 APEC conference here.

'The implication that sick children are materialistic and request unrealistic wishes is offensive to those who have applied or intend to apply for wishes,' the group said in a statement. -- AFP