Government admits ‘we can’t control Tony Abbott’

SENIOR government ministers are at a loss to stop a rogue Tony Abbott, as the former prime minister keeps the hits coming on morning radio.

Tony Abbott’s recent speeches and interview have been described as ‘not helpful’. Picture: Daniel Munoz

A SENIOR cabinet minister has admitted the government has no control over Tony Abbott as the former prime minister continues to loudly criticise the Liberal Party in speeches and interviews.

The member for Warringah last week made three separate speeches in which he criticised the party and was accused of undermining Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, and this morning gave another critical interview to radio shock jock and supporter Alan Jones.

But in another interview on Monday morning, cabinet minister Arthur Sinodinos conceded there was nothing the party could do to control the damage.

“If you're in government, you can only control what you control. I can’t control Tony Abbott,” Senator Sinodinos told ABC radio.

Resigned to wrecking: ‘I can’t control Tony Abbott’. Picture: Mick Tsikas/AAP

The Senator was questioned over the timing of Mr Abbott’s apparent campaign, which coincided with the lead-up to the first anniversary of Mr Turnbull’s prime ministership since the election, answering: “You’d have to ask him whether it was deliberate or not.”

In a separate interview on Sunday, Senator Mathias Cormann said Mr Abbott’s commentary was “not helpful”.

Mr Abbott, who famously committed to no “sniping” or “undermining” of the government when he lost the leadership to Mr Turnbull, denied sniping in this morning’s interview on 2GB. The backbencher said his criticism of the party was based on “basic democracy and elemental politics”.

“It’s a simple truth that we are haemorrhaging members, we’re haemorrhaging members in every state but it’s a particular problem in New South Wales,” he said.

“This is basic democracy, elemental politics, and we need basic democracy and elemental politics inside the Liberal Party.”

Honestly I”m not sniping ... Former prime minister Tony Abbott arrives at the at the Liberal Party Democratic Reform to give a speech on Saturday. Picture: Brendan Esposito/AAP

Mr Abbott said he wanted the Liberal Party to be “the best possible government”.

He said his government had been successful “by deciding exactly what it was we were fighting for, and then very purposely getting on with that job”.

The former leader’s resurgence has ignited internal tensions in the Liberal Party, and prompted speculation he is making another pitch for the top job.

Mr Turnbull on Sunday used the July 2 anniversary to reveal he would walk away from politics if he lost the top job.

“When I cease to be prime minister, I will cease to be a member of parliament,” he said.

“I am not giving anyone else advice, but I just think that’s what I would do.”

In a press conference Monday morning, the Prime Minister said he intended to stay in the job.

“I know may think that at 62 I am too old. I can assure you I will be Prime Minister for a very long time,” he said.

“I will be running at the 2019 election and will win. So that’s my commitment.”