Former Liberal prime minister John Howard has confirmed he advised Tony Abbott to remove his controversial chief of staff before he was dumped as leader by his party.
Mr Howard counselled Mr Abbott to consider sacking Peta Credlin. "Look, I did give him advice on two personnel issues and that was one of them," he told Sky News.
A new book by journalist Niki Savva released this week proposes Ms Credlin was instrumental in Mr Abbott's downfall.
Mr Howard also confirmed he suggested Mr Abbott install Malcolm Turnbull as treasurer over Joe Hockey.
Mr Abbott was dumped as prime minister in September and replaced by Mr Turnbull.
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"I feel for Tony, because it was very humiliating and he had won an election," Mr Howard said.
"But the people who have the authority to make the decision, made the decision and they clearly voted in a new leader.
"They are not going to review their decision."
Mr Howard said people needed to stop raking over old coals and focus on the main game of making sure the coalition government was re-elected.
