Tony Abbott praises Peta Credlin’s ‘riveting’ commentary on Sky News

POLITICAL powerhouse turned commentator Peta Credlin has ruffled a few feathers since taking up her role on Sky News. Her old boss has again come to her defence.

Liz Burke

@lizeburke

3 min read

May 16, 2016 - 7:48AM

IT’S at this stage in the Federal Election campaign that endorsements start to roll in from former leaders, and the latest show of support from deposed prime minister Tony Abbott is hardly surprising.

Speaking on Sky News following the launch of his re-election campaign for the seat of Warringah, the former leader praised his controversial right hand woman, Peta Credlin.

The controversial staffer has recently joined the station’s election commentary team, and in only a handful of appearances, has managed to ruffle a more than a few feathers.

But ever the supporter, Mr Abbott described her commentary as “riveting”.

“I think she’s been riveting viewing, let me say that, I think she’s been riveting, viewing,” he repeated, just to make sure the point got across.

“She speaks for herself. She’s made some, I suppose, pretty powerful calls this week, and I think you’ll continue to see her being a very important and interesting commentator on this election.”

.@TonyAbbottMHR on Peta Credlin's foray into political commentary #ausvotes https://t.co/BB8Rid5h4J
â€” Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) May 15, 2016

It comes as little surprise Mr Abbott has again publicly supported his controversial former chief of staff.

The former PM used part of his final speech in the role to defend the woman whose performance many have since said contributed to his downfall.

Since the pair were booted from office, Ms Credlin has been known to take the odd shot at Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, most recently nicknaming him “Mr Harbourside Mansion” during a segment on Sky last week.

But again leaping to her defence, Mr Abbott assured the commentator supported his successor.

“Malcolm won’t always agree with her, probably won’t always like what she says. But her job is not to be a yes person to anyone, her job is to call it as she sees it,” he said.

“But she wants the Coalition to win this election ... she knows (Mr Turnbull), she respects him, she thinks he is the prime minister we should elect on July 2.”

Mr Abbott has also begun to seek support for his own re-election, launching his campaign for the seat of Warringah on Sydney’s northern beaches yesterday.

Speaking to supporters at the Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club, Mr Abbott also encouraged voters to return the Coalition Government.

“We scrapped the carbon tax, we scrapped the mining tax ... we worked at home and abroad to keep this country safe in the face of challenges we have not seen for at least a generation,” he said.

“So yes, this is my legacy, this is Malcolm Turnbull’s legacy, and that’s why it’s so important that we re-elect a Coalition Government on July 2.”

Later on Sky, discussing the prospect of a return to the front bench, Mr Abbott insisted his constituents, the Coalition and his country came first, and vowed to serve full-term if re-elected.

“I’m not stamping my feet, shaking my dummy, saying ‘I demand a frontbench role’. I’m not doing that,” he said.

“I want the people of Warringah to know my focus is them — my focus is not angling for something after the election.

“It’s not a question of my expectations, it’s a question of what is going to best help the (Coalition’s) campaign. It’s not about me ... it’s about the party, the government and ultimately, the country.”