Abbott didn't invent border protection: PM

Tough border protection was not invented by Tony Abbott, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has reminded his predecessor.

While he gave Mr Abbott full credit for turning back asylum-seeker boats, Mr Turnbull noted tough border policies have been a part of the coalition's policy platform for many years.

"Whether it is (John) Howard, Abbott or Turnbull we've had the same policy on border protection - it was not something that was invented by Tony Abbott," Mr Turnbull told Radio 3AW on Tuesday.