Why Tony Abbott wants Malcolm Turnbull to become his clone

TONY Abbott says ousting Malcolm Turnbull would lead to an election loss, but there is one thing he wants from the PM.

Tony Abbott has told the government the five step plan to get back on track. Picture: Kym Smith

OPINION

TONY Abbott isn’t after Malcolm Turnbull’s job but he does want a new entity in the Prime Minister’s office — a Tone Clone.

Mr Abbott is seeking that marvel of the science of politics, a full body policy transplant.

He wants an Abbott-like figure doing the things he attempted as leader and at times failed to implement, a figure indistinguishable from his current self apart from the physical presence.

His explosive column in yesterday’s Daily Telegraph confirms previous reports Mr Abbott had accepted he would no succeed Mr Turnbull — at least not before the next election — and his sensible view a leadership change would further wreck the government’s chances of being returned.

All delivered with offhand barb: “Of course people are disappointed with the government ...”

He has told colleagues he fears a Coalition wipe-out in Queensland producing a national rout.

The Abbott answer is for Mr Turnbull to adopt the policy clobber of Tony 2017 and be quick about it.

This message has developed to uninterrupted background noise of comparisons between the Abbott government and the Turnbull venture, from Mr Abbott himself and surrogates ranging from Eric Abetz to Peta Credlin.

The attack of the ‘Tone Clone’ policies has significant merit for a man who wants to stay in Parliament and respect it as the vocation he sought while a Steen.

First, Mr Abbott can assure colleagues he is not speaking out in the cause of personal advancement. He has accepted that’s not going to happen.

Tony Abbott appeared on Ray Hadley’s show this morning. Picture: AAP/Twitter

What he is agitating for is a rescue mission for the government.

Forget his personal circumstances, it’s the Liberal Party that’s important.

“The best way to keep (Labor Leader Bill) Shorten out is not to sack an elected Prime Minister yet again but to ensure that the Government does its job better,” he wrote.

Some colleagues will accept that, many more will be relieved a leadership challenge isn’t likely.

Second, Mr Abbott wins if his clone prevails. If he gets no second act as PM at least his policy facsimile will be on the stage.

And let’s face it, any advice will seem viable at present. Mr Turnbull has two years to the next election but a lot of cleaning up to do. A Government with a one-seat hold on the House of Representatives cannot be snobbish about suggestions.

Labor Leader Bill Shorten is, as Mr Abbott today highlights, a genuine threat.

Third, there are disappointed Turnbull fans who believe the Abbott policy encroachment already is under way, that he has become the other bloke in a better suit.

This means momentum is behind the Abbott cloning process and he will be prepared to ride it.