‘It was exactly as predicted and as calculated’: Turnbull blames Abbott for disastrous poll

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull described Tony Abbott’s criticisms as a “calculated” attack which has had its “desired effect” as Labor soared ahead in the two-party preferred result poll.

PM Malcolm Turnbull visiting local businesses in Canberra. Picture: Kym Smith

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PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull has accused Tony Abbott of launching a “calculated” attack on the government that led to disastrous results in the polls.

Newspoll, published in The Australian today, shows the eighth-consecutive result where Labor has outperformed the Coalition.

The two-party preferred result had Labor ahead of the Coalition by 55 to 45, with One Nation’s support surging. Pauline Hanson’s party recorded 10 per cent of the primary vote.

Mr Turnbull has put the blame squarely on his predecessor for deliberately affecting the Newspoll result by giving a speech on Thursday night where he attacked the government.

PM Turnbull said Tony Abbott’s attack had its “desired impact”. Picture: Kym Smith

“We saw an outburst on Thursday and it had its desired impact on the Newspoll,” Mr Turnbull said.

“It was exactly as predicted and as calculated. He knew exactly what he was doing and he did it. I’m not going to be distracted by that.”

Many government MPs are also pointing the finger at Mr Abbott and his supporters.

“Are those polls bad for us? Yes, they are,” Liberal backbencher Craig Laundy told reporters at Parliament House.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann put the result down to the Coalition focusing on itself.

“It’s not a surprise after the internal conversation we’ve had through the media in recent days,” he told ABC radio. “People mark us down for that.”

Treasurer Scott Morrison said the government could not afford to be distracted by personalities and “all that sort of stuff”.

Tony Abbott reacts during a motion to suspend standing orders moved by Australia's Opposition Leader Bill Shorten in the House of Representatives at Parliament House this afternoon. Picture: AAP

The latest Newspoll coincided with reports that a group of conservative Liberal MPs, calling themselves “the deplorables”, sought to undermine Mr Turnbull after last year’s close election.

The MPs held regular phone hook-ups which were instigated by Mr Abbott and one of his strongest supporters Senator Eric Abetz, The Australian said.

The pair chaired meetings that included directives to junior MPs to use the media to pressure the Turnbull government on issues such as Safe Schools and amending section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act.

They also sought to position conservative MPs for a fight over same-sex marriage if Mr Turnbull moved to a free vote once the plebiscite was defeated in parliament, arguing any change of policy would be a leadership issue.

The Australian named other MPs involved in the group as Kevin Andrews, Michael Sukker, Rick Wilson, Andrew Hastie, Zed Seselja, Ian Goodenough, Cory Bernardi, Nicolle Flint, Jonathon Duniam, Craig Kelly, Scott Buchholz and Tony Pasin. The group also pushed for Mr Abbott’s return to cabinet.

Former PM Tony Abbott with Mackellar MP Jason Falinski calling on the state government to announce its plans for a tunnel bypassing the Spit Bridge. Picture: Virginia Young

Veteran Liberal MP Warren Entsch hopes Mr Abbott reflects on his time as prime minister as federal parliament resumes in Canberra.

“I would suggest that Mr Abbott reflect on his own period as prime minister before he starts throwing mud at other colleagues. He was actually given a lifeline and he gave himself six months probation and he failed,” he told reporters.

Fellow backbencher Andrew Laming said Mr Abbott had gone too far with his critique of the government.

Malcolm Turnbull has accused Tony Abbott of launching a “calculated” attack on the government that led to disastrous results in the polls. Picture: AAP

“Once you go on a speaking tour, once you start seeking out friendly right-wing TV, once you start flogging your view basically against the minister of the day, that’s where it crosses the line,” he said.

His advice to Mr Abbott is: “Keep writing and do less news media calls flogging your ideas.” Disaffected voters have pushed Pauline Hanson’s One Nation to 10 per cent of the primary vote, more than doubling the minor party’s support since November.