Tony Abbott blames Malcolm Turnbull for his government’s demise

Tony Abbott says Malcolm Turnbull — not a split in his government — ended his prime ministership as he hinted at a return to politics.

Tony Abbott says it was Malcolm Turnbull’s ambition and not a divided government that led to him being ousted as prime minister, as he revealed he would consider a return to parliament.

“It wasn’t that we had a divided government, it was more that there was one person who was determined to get to the top by hook or by crook,” Mr Abbott toldThe Australian.

“Malcolm always thought it was his destiny to be prime minister and I happened to be the obstacle to that and so he dealt with me as best he could.”

Mr Turnbull toppled Mr Abbott in a leadership spill in 2015.

Tony Abbot says he would consider a return to politics. Picture: AAP

Mr Abbott returned to the backbench but lost his Sydney seat of Warringah at the May election.

He said he had mostly forgiven those who turned on him and would consider a return to parliament, though admitted that was unlikely.

“If the Liberal Party ever wanted me to do that, I would be more than happy to consider it, but I find it difficult to imagine the circumstances that they would want me,” he said.

“I’m not ruling it out but I’m not expecting it to happen.”

Last week it was revealed Mr Abbott was joining the board of the Australian War Memorial in his first official appointment since leaving politics.

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Tony Abbott says Malcolm Turnbull, pictured, is to blame for his government’s demise. Picture: AAP

He will replace author, historian and newspaper editor Les Carlyon, who died in March.

Veterans Affairs Minister Darren Chester said Mr Abbott would bring dedication, passion and knowledge with him as the memorial undergoes a $500 million upgrade to tell the stories of more recent conflicts.

He said Mr Abbott had extensive experience and would ensure the stories from recent military conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Solomon Islands and East Timor would be proudly told.

“As prime minister, Mr Abbott led the case to build the Sir John Monash Centre in Villers-Bretonneux to tell the stories and honour the thousands of fallen Australians who served in the First World War,” Mr Chester said.

“I congratulate Mr Abbott on his appointment and am confident he will ensure we continue to record the stories of those who have served, in their words, and be able to share those stories to the more than one million visitors to the memorial each year.”

Meanwhile, a search is under way to find a replacement for Brendan Nelson, who will step down as director of the memorial when his term ends at the end of this year.

For more on this story see The Australian.

Originally published as Tony Abbott blames Malcolm Turnbull for his government’s demise