‘Fake news’: Tony Abbott hits back after Joe Hockey reveals secret PM ‘deal’

Ex-prime minister Tony Abbott has issued a stinging rebuke to Joe Hockey, claiming his former treasurer is spreading ‘fake news’.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott says a report he did a deal with Joe Hockey to hand him the top job is “fake news”.

Former treasurer Mr Hockey told The Australian in an exclusive interview he believed he had a deal with Mr Abbott to be handed the prime ministership at some point during the Coalition’s time in government.

But, that arrangement became null-and-void when Malcolm Turnbull seized the party leadership in 2015.

Mr Hockey told the newspaper he talked to Mr Abbott about the leadership of the party several times, and the two had reached an “understanding” he would be the next leader.

If the change took place in government, under the “deal”, Mr Hockey would become the next prime minister.

Mr Abbott posted a statement on Twitter saying the story was false and “absurd”.

Joe Hockey served as Treasurer under Tony Abbott as Prime Minister. Picture: Gary Ramage

“This story … is fake news.,” Mr Abbott said.

“The idea that I would do a secret deal to hand over the prime ministership is absurd because it’s not in the gift of anyone, let alone a PM under the sort of pressure I was.

“As Troy Bramston (the author of The Australian article) well knows my view is that the prime ministership should be decided by the people, not any two individuals conspiring in secret which I would never do.”

Mr Hockey told Bramston he thought he would be a good prime minister.

Mr Abbott said the idea he had done a deal with Mr Hockey to hand him the prime ministership was ‘absurd’. Picture: Nick Klein

“I had more experience than many, most, other people to be prime minister,” Mr Hockey said.

“Look at all the portfolios I had and how I navigated them and continued to get appointed by John Howard and Malcolm Turnbull and Tony Abbott, and promoted and promoted.”

Mr Abbott held leadership of the Liberal party from 2009 to 2015 – first as Opposition Leader before become prime minister.

He narrowly beat Mr Turnbull in a leadership ballot in December 2009, but relinquished the position six years later.

Both Mr Abbott and Mr Hockey were relegated to the backbench before their respective retirements from politics.

Originally published as ‘Fake news’: Tony Abbott hits back after Joe Hockey reveals secret PM ‘deal’