Angry Turnbull hits out at predecessor Abbott’s comments

SYDNEY: Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull slapped down his predecessor Tony Abbott who dramatically intervened to claim credit for policies the government is taking to upcoming elections.

Abbott, who was ousted last September in a party coup, announced the government was running on his record, in extraordinary comments reminiscent of the political anarchy that has produced five leaders in five years.

“It’s very easy for me to campaign ... because the Turnbull government is running on the Abbott government’s record,” said Abbot in an interview with Sky News yesterday.

“It’s a very strong record,” he said, citing the hardline immigration policy that deterred the flow of asylum seeker boats, and a string of free trade agreements.

Abbott remains in parliament but had pledged not to interfere after Turnbull’s takeover, promising on his departure there would be “no wrecking, no undermining, no sniping”.

However, he has continued to intervene, to the delight of a hardcore of right-wing lawmakers who reputedly still entertain the thought of returning him to the top job in the near future.

Turnbull, who has lambasted Abbott’s economic management, hit back last Friday against the putdown which could spell trouble ahead of general elections which he has said could come as soon as July.

“He’s not right,” the prime minister said of his predecessor. “The bottom line is there is continuity and there is change.”

Employment minister Michaelia Cash issued what national broadcaster ABC described as a “veiled threat” to right-wingers considering agitating for Abbott’s return.

“I know what my goal is and I would hope that would be the goal of all members of the Liberal Party and that is to ensure the re-election of the Turnbull government,” Cash said.

Turnbull is expected to win elections which could be held on July 2 – well ahead of a deadline – if parliament fails to end a deadlock over union reform legislation.

However, his support has slipped in recent weeks as the promised policy changes that he wanted have failed to materialise.

The latest Newspoll published in The Australian still had Turnbull garnering 39% satisfaction as leader, 11% points ahead of Labour opposition leader Bill Shorten. — AFP