It’s (Not Quite) On: Malcolm Turnbull Calls Tony Abbott’s Criticisms “Sad”

The PM has heard the complaints of Tony Abbott and, borrowing a phrase from phone-pal Donald Trump, called them “sad”.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Abbott’s attack on his leadership and the Liberal Party was “sad”, but insisted he would not be distracted by Tone’s “latest outburst”.

At a press conference, Turnbull insisted the Coalition government had achieved much since he snagged the leadership from former leader Abbott.

“In the last six months or so, my Government has delivered more through the Senate, through the whole Parliament, than we did in the last three years,” he said, as reported by the ABC.

The controversy began yesterday, when Tony Abbott insisted during a book launch speech that the Liberal Party should cut immigration, end renewable energy subsidies and scrap the Human Rights Commission, to curb the number of conservatives flocking to third parties such as One Nation.

(But, we thought Tony and Pauline were best buds now, based on this very natural conversation they filmed?!)

Later, on The Bolt Report, Abbott said the Coalition could “drift to defeat” if it doesn’t lift its game.

He also took aim at the PM for staying at his Point Piper home rather than in Kirribilli. This reportedly costs taxpayers an additional $3 million in security.

The spray comes amid new(ish) rumours that Abbott still holds onto hope of returning to the Prime Minister gig. (And we were just getting used to him as an arts critic.)

Federal Ministers Mathias Cormann and Christopher Pyne jumped to Turnbull’s defence, as did Deputy Leader Julie Bishop, who insisted the current Prime Minister had the support of the party room.

So, if you're wondering if "it's on", the answer, for now, is no. Watch this space.

Photo: ABC