Former Prime Minister John Howard has defended Tony Abbott and praised him for finding balance in a difficult budget.
In an interview with SBS World News presenter and business journalist Ricardo Goncalves, Mr Howard said Australia had fallen behind in terms of economic reform.
"People a few years ago saw Australia as a country that was always pushing ahead, at the frontier of economic reform," he said.
"But in the last few years we’ve started to run on empty when it comes to economic reform.
"I hope that’s beginning to change with the new government."
Mr Howard praised Tony Abbott's budget and rejected the idea it had not been sold well.
"It's far too early to suggest the budget hasn’t been sold well," he said.
"I am confident that as time goes by there will be an acceptance of the need for the measures that have been taken in this budget."
When asked if he had any advice for Tony Abbott, Mr Howard said the prime minister didn’t need it.
"One of the good rules of politics - when you’ve been there and you’re out of it - you only offer your opinion when it’s asked for," he said.
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