The exchange on radio followed reports of leadership speculation inside the Liberal Party, with Fairfax Media writing that the Prime Minister had “lost the respect” of some of his colleagues.
During an interview with Melbourne’s 3AW Radio, a caller identifying himself as a “Liberal voter through and through” accused Mr Abbott of having no leadership.
“I don’t want to see you give the keys to Bill Shorten at the Lodge,” he said.
“The way you’re going, it’s going to happen.
“I’ve got to tell you, you’re the world’s worst salesman, Prime Minister.”
Mr Abbott told listeners would “rather under-promise and over-deliver”.
“If you look at the record, the record is a good one,” he said.
Mr Abbott also responded to questioning over reports that his colleagues may be planning to replace him within months, saying it was “absolute nonsense”.
“If there is one lesson to be learnt from the fate of the former government in Canberra, maybe even from the former government in Victoria, is you do not change leaders,” he said.
“You rally behind someone and you stick to the plan. And we’ve got a good plan.”
A senior Liberal reportedly told Fairfax Media that Mr Abbott had “just months” to boost the party’s fortune or he would be dumped.
Several MPs, including frontbenchers, also said there was confusion within the party over the proposed changes to higher education, which crucial crossbench Senator Glenn Lazarus described as “a turd”.
The Palmer United Party politician and his colleague Dio Wang are among the cross-bench senators who have expressed their opposition to the plans.
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