Abbott warns against softening on boats

Former prime minister Tony Abbott has warned that since he was deposed the Liberal base is on heightened alert for any softening on boat arrivals.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott has warned that the Liberal Party risks bleeding voters to far right fringe parties unless it stays tough on asylum-seeker boat arrivals and Islamic State extremists.

Mr Abbott said holding the line on defence and border security policies would ensure right-wing voters did not move towards far right parties.

"Single-issue fringe parties actually risk undermining stable centre right parties," told the Daily Telegraph on Tuesday.