Federal opposition leader Bill Shorten says the Liberal Party is at war with itself as a row breaks out over the leaking of classified national security documents.
Federal police have been called in to investigate how sections of an early draft of the Defence white paper fell into the hands of a reporter from The Australian newspaper.
Former prime minister Tony Abbott insists he was not the source of the leak.
At a Liberal dinner in Canberra to mark 20 years since John Howard's government came to power, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull praised Tony Abbott.
"I want to acknowledge my predecessor as prime minister, Tony Abbott. Tony was a vital, powerful part of the Howard Government, but, as leader, he led us back into government and ended the shocking disillusionment and catastrophe of the Rudd-Gillard-Rudd years. Thank you, Tony."
The pair were seated opposite each other at the dinner table.
But tensions are surfacing between the two amid an escalating row over who leaked classified Cabinet documents on the timeline for building the next generation of submarines.
Tony Abbott has expressed his displeasure with the timeline.
At the dinner, he was refusing to answer questions on whether he was the source.
(Reporter:) "Did you leak classified documents?"
(Abbott:) "I'm just really delighted to be here tonight. This is a marvellous opportunity to celebrate a great Government and the achievements of a really outstanding Government."
Today, he has denied leaking it, saying he does not leak.
The Australian Federal Police have now been called in to investigate the leak.
This morning, Mr Turnbull said he is not being drawn into the debate.
His Treasurer, Scott Morrison, says integrity is paramount.
"I take Tony Abbott on his word on that, and I'm very pleased that the Prime Minister has taken the right decision in the interests of national security. Playing politics with national security, I think, is a very dangerous and disappointing thing to have occurred, but it's, I think, very reassuring that the Prime Minister has risen above, as he does on these things, and is ensuring the integrity of the process."
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, referring to the leak, has suggested the Liberal Party is in internal war.
"The Liberal Party is at war with itself. It is unprecedented to see the Liberals calling the police to investigate other Liberals. What's wrong with the Liberal Party that they have this born to rule mentality where they think their civil war is more important than the issues affecting the nation? We haven't seen an economic plan from Mr Turnbull after six months. We haven't seen a tax plan from Mr Turnbull after six months. What we have seen, though, is dysfunction and division at the heart of the Liberal Party. They need to stop worrying about themselves and start getting on with the job of providing a vision and alternatives for Australians."
Former Cabinet minister Eric Abetz says it is not honourable behaviour to leak such material, but he is cautioning others from jumping to any conclusions.
"Whoever leaked them, it is not honourable behaviour. I think it's a big jump to suggest that it was a parliamentarian. There is an investigation underway. Let's see what that produces. But leaks should be condemned, whether by parliamentarians or, indeed, by officials."
At question time in parliament, Bill Shorten was back on the issue, seeking answers from Mr Turnbull.
(Shorten:) "Will the Prime Minister, today, explicitly express confidence that this leak has not come from any current or former member of the National Security Committee of Cabinet?" (House Leader:) "Well, Mr Speaker, the point of order is how could that possibly be within the Prime Minister's knowledge when, obviously, that's the purpose of the investigation, to determine from where the leak has come!" (Speaker:) "I'll ask the Prime Minister to address that." (Turnbull:) "Thank you, Mr Speaker, and, of course, I have confidence in all of my ministers. Mr Speaker, as this matter is part of an ongoing investigation, including careful investigation by the Australian Federal Police, I am not going to comment on it any further. And the leader of the opposition should consider whether he wants to consider making mischief out of what is a very serious matter."
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