Liberal Party president Nick Greiner warned Abbott and Turnbull: ‘Be adults’

THE Prime Minister and his disgruntled predecessor have been warned to sort out their differences, or hand the leadership to Bill Shorten.

Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull have been warned they need to sort out their differences. Picture: Lukas Coch/AAP

TONY Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull have been warned to “be adults” and sort out their very public feud.

New Liberal Party president Nick Greiner gave the stern warning that the party would lose the next election if it didn’t present as a unified front.

“It is as simple as that,” he said.

Mr Greiner made the comments on Sky News, following a month of infighting led by the former Prime Minister.

The party president, elected last month, suggested Mr Abbott’s antagonising of the Prime Minister was helping Labor.

He said while the government was talking about itself, Labor and the Opposition Leader Bill Shorten were “totally escaping scrutiny”.

Tony Abbott will be given a talking to by the new Liberal Party president. Picture: Daniel Munoz

Mr Greiner said he planned to give both Mr Abbott a talking to in coming days.

“I think we have got to be adults about it,” he said.

“I think everyone understands a prime minister who loses his position in the way it happened has all sorts of human emotions and has responded in a particular way which is very open and public.”

He also indicated the pair would be urged into peace talks.

“Only they are capable of resolving it,” he said. “They need to resolve it face-to-face, they need to solve it directly, not through intermediaries.”

Mr Greiner also conceded infighting was an issue for the parliamentary party.

Liberal party president Nick Greiner told Sky News Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull need to sort out their feud 'face-to-face'. Picture: Sky News

While the party president has been candid about the party’s internal issues, senior parliamentary figures have not been so forthcoming.

In an interview with ABC radio, defence industry minister Christopher Pyne refused to weigh into tensions between the Prime Minister and his predecessor.

“We are getting on with the job,” he said. “My constituents are not interested in these matters.”

Nationals Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has expressed frustration over infighting within the Liberals.

Deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop hinted in an interview with ABC television on Sunday, saying the government should be focused on legislation and policies.

“We are getting on with some very significant reforms,” she said. “And I agree with Barnaby Joyce, that’s what we should be focusing on.”