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Coalition MPs have distanced themselves from the Prime Minister amid the growing backlash to the appointment, announced on Monday.
Media personalities, including News Corp chairman Rupert Murdoch, have also criticised the decision, with long-time Abbott supporter Andrew Bolt being the latest to join the chorus of criticism.
'Not only is it a bad call - it is a clearly bad call, it is a rotten call, it is a call that he makes that has no supporters – the thing is, no one can understand it.'
Speaking 2GB radio on Wednesday night, Mr Bolt said he liked Mr Abbott, but said the “pathetically stupid” decision could lead to his dismissal as Prime Minister.
“This is such a very, very, very stupid decision, so damaging that it could be fatal,” he said.
“This is too much.”
Mr Bolt compared to decision to other poorly-received moves made by Julia Gillard, calling the former prime minister’s choices a “stroke of genius” compared to Mr Abbott.
He said Coalition MPs were not backing the so-called captain’s call.
“This is a friendless decision, where his friends would feel stupid defending it,” he said.
Mr Bolt said Mr Abbott was also likely to lose the voters’ support over the decision, which he labelled “completely bonkers”.
He said voters were likely to be scared over the Prime Minister’s potential actions.
“You have no idea what Tony Abbott is going to do next,” he said.
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