Former prime minister Tony Abbott in first radio interview Ray Hadley since ousting

HIS final promise was that there would be “no wrecking, no undermining and no sniping”. He has just done all three live on radio.

OUSTED prime minister Tony Abbott has used his first broadcast interview since being dumped to slam Australia’s “revolving door prime ministership.”

While he was careful not to slam his colleagues responsible, Mr Abbott was clearly bitter when he spoke with 2GB shock jock and renowned Abbott supporter Ray Hadley.

The former prime minister opened up about the bruising he faced since being toppled as Liberal leader.

“I always knew that politics was a pretty brutal business. It’s a game of snakes and ladders, and yes I’ve hit a snake,” he said.

Mr Abbott reflected on his achievements as prime minister and opposition leader, being careful to protect his legacy, and was damning of the process that saw him fall from the top job.

“The last four changes of prime minister, only one has been at the hands of the people,” he said.

“This is a real problem for our country. The difficulty with the revolving door prime ministership is that government can’t do what is necessary for the long term good of our country if you’re subject to death by polls and then ultimately a party room coup.

“My hope is that what happened a fortnight ago finishes all this stuff, that we get right away from this concept of changing the leader like you might change your clothes to suit the fashion.”

Mr Abbott admitted he had “never been popular” according to polls, but said he was confident his party would win the next election were he kept as leader.

“You can be not especially popular ... and at the same time lead a very effective operation,” he said.

‘Nothing’s changed.’ Tony Abbott stopped short of criticising Malcolm Turnbull’s new government. Picture: Lukas Coch

Mr Abbott was careful not to refer to the new prime minister by name, but did offer some commentary on the new government.

Sounding like a Labor attack ad, the fallen leader reminded listeners “nothing’s changed” since Malcolm Turnbull claimed the top job.

“The interesting thing is no policy has changed,” he said. “If you listen to the PM and the treasurer, they’re even using exactly the same phrases that Joe Hockey and I were using just a fortnight ago.”

Though it was a far less explosive interview than the one Hadley conducted last week with an armoured Scott Morrison, the new treasurer, labelled by 2GB listeners as Abbott’s “Judas”, still copped a thumping.

Scott Morrison was urged to “bring a hard-hat” for his post-coup interview with Ray Hadley.

Mr Abbott hinted the apparent betrayal by Mr Morrison, who had served as his social services minister and friend, was still a sore point.

He confirmed Mr Morrison had spoken to his chief of staff Peta Credlin three days before he was ousted in a party room ballot.

“He’s obviously put one construction on the conversation, my office put a different construction on the conversation,” he said, referring to Mr Morrison’s claim he warned Mr Abbott’s office of a “febrile” atmosphere among Liberal MPs.

“It’s probably a bit counter-productive to revisit all of this now.

“The last thing I want, Ray, to come out of this interview is a headline ‘Abbott slams Morrison’,” he said.

Asked about the roles Julie Bishop and Mr Morrison played, Mr Abbott said a leader had to rely on the people closest to him. “Any leader who is watching his back is not focusing on the main job,” he said.

“If you are watching your back, almost by definition you’re going backwards. If you’re looking in front, almost by definition you’re going forward.”

Mr Abbott addressed criticism directed at his allies, Mr Hockey and his controversial chief of staff, saying he and Mr Hockey were “absolute blood brothers” when it came to economic policies and he could never have “casually sacrificed” the former treasurer to save his own prime ministership.

Mr Abbott also praised Ms Credlin, saying “no one” had worked longer and harder for the coalition’s success than her.

“I suppose occasionally she may have spoken brusquely to one or two people ... but the job of the prime minister’s chief of staff is to be strong, it’s to be tough, it’s to be focused,” he said.

Looking ahead, Mr Abbott said he wouldn’t be retiring from public life, and wouldn’t be making a final decision about his time in parliament “this side of Christmas”.

“I’m too young to retire, I’ve still got something to contribute in public life,” he said.

“There’s not going to be a by-election in Warringah any time soon.”