Malcolm Turnbull rejects talk of Abbott-led insurgency

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An upbeat Malcolm Turnbull has denied he is facing an insurgency led by Tony Abbott, expressed optimism about a new global climate deal in Paris, hinted that superannuation concessions used by the rich could be trimmed and again dismissed suggestions of ground troops in Iraq and Syria.

Speaking to the ABC's 7.30 program ahead of his departure for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Malta and the Paris climate change talks after that, Mr Turnbull responded "of course not" to the suggestion that Mr Abbott was leading an insurgency against him, saying the pair had talked.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull with Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop and Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Christopher Pyne on Thursday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Asked by host Leigh Sales if it was "tricky" to campaign on the government's record, "given that you did feel the need to replace Tony Abbott", Mr Turnbull responded: "I'm very comfortable in my role."

"I'm looking forward to an election next year when we'll present our vision and our capacity to deliver a strong and innovative economy ... an Australia that is as enterprising as it is fair, I'm very confident of presenting that vision and that capability to the Australian people against Labor's alternative," he said.

"Have you spoken to Tony Abbott beyond an exchange of text messages to which one of you referred a few weeks back?" Sales asked.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Immigration Minister Peter Dutton in question time on Thursday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

"Yes I have a good chat with Tony, yes, I mean look Tony and I obviously have had some differences at different times, but we've known each other for a very long time, and we have been, and always will, be able to have a very cordial discussion," Mr Turnbull said.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged that he had yet to be put to the budget test as leader, as he signalled his innovation statement next month would contain "a large number of substantial measures" crucial to the economy.

With the world focused on the Syrian conflict and the fight against international terrorism, he said it should be remembered that Islamic State was weak relative to other powers but remained dangerous.

Leigh Sales asked the PM if it was "tricky" to campaign on the government's record. Photo: ABC

"It is surrounded by enemies, it is under seige from the air, but of course it is able to occupy territory, the territory that it has, although its boundaries are being pushed back both on the Iraqi side and the Syrian side, and of course it is able to direct or at least sponsor acts of terrorism abroad," he said.

He said despite the understandable atmosphere of grief and anger, in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks and others, policy makers needed to be "cool, calm, and clear-eyed".

Tony Abbott during question time on Thursday. Photo: Andrew Meares

"We cannot eliminate entirely the risk of terrorism or a terrorist incident, any more than we can eliminate entirely the risk of any other crime so the challenge for the security agencies is to be able to thwart, interrupt, prevent terrorist incidents, to maintain highly effective intelligence, operations, so that they're forewarned," he said.

On the economy, Mr Turnbull acknowledged he had yet to clear the major hurdles of economic management and national leadership.

"Well the budget is an annual test, I suppose, but we will release within the next two weeks an innovation statement that will set out a very large number of substantial measures to drive the innovation that will ensure that Australians, their children and grandchildren will have great jobs, better jobs, in the future that will drive our economy," he said.

Malcolm Turnbull says he has had a chat with former prime minister Tony Abbott. Photo: Andrew Meares

With the Coalition attempting to rebuild its economic fairness credentials in the wake of its broken promises budget of 2014, Mr Turnbull said policy would be designed to promote innovation, competition, and incentive but would also remain consistent with Australia's "egalitarian fair-go culture".

"I think, for example, if you had changes that resulted in perhaps people on higher incomes bearing a higher burden - I'm not saying this is our policy - but for example, many people have advocated that there should be some changes to superannuation so that if you like the tax concession is less generous for people on very high incomes or high incomes, I suppose that would be seen by many people as fair," he said.

"But I suppose if you're one of the people who's getting less of a concession, you might, or might not, feel that it was unfair.

"The question is whether the whole outcome is seen to be equitable - and that is our absolute objective - it will be a fair set of reforms because if it's not fair, it won't get the public's support that it needs to be successful, so fairness is absolutely critical."

In other comments, Mr Turnbull:

• said he was "optimistic" about the Paris climate talks
• claimed he was relaxed about senators or MPs crossing the floor on issues
• said he was very comfortable about MPs suggesting ground troops for Iraq and Syria but dismissed them as impractical because Iraq had not invited it and no other power supported it either.

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