Former prime minister Tony Abbott says his successor is running on his government's record but Malcolm Turnbull insists it's not an exact carbon copy.
Malcolm Turnbull and his senior ministers are walking a fine line on whose record the coalition is using for its re-election campaign.
Tony Abbott insists it's the strong record of his government, citing boat turnbacks, finalising free-trade agreements and a strong national security policy.
The prime minister was more circumspect as he responded to the claim of the man he toppled six months ago.
"The bottom line is there is continuity and there is change," Mr Turnbull told ABC Radio on Tuesday.
He played down criticism there were minimal policy differences between his government and Mr Abbott's.
"There are a lot of things I've done that either he hadn't done or that he wasn't of a mind to do," Mr Turnbull told Radio 3AW.
He reminded Mr Abbott that tough border protection was long-standing coalition policy.
"Whether it is (John) Howard, Abbott or Turnbull we've had the same policy ... it was not something that was invented by Tony Abbott."
Mr Turnbull pointed to media ownership law changes and his innovation strategy as key policy differences between the two governments.
