PM praises Abbott for strong stand on IS

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has paid tribute to his predecessor, declaring the nation owed Tony Abbott a debt of gratitude for his strong stand against Islamic State.

Mr Abbott had worked to galvanise the strongest possible international response to the evolving threat of Islamic State in the Middle East and beyond.

As well, he bought strength of purpose to the task of restoring the integrity of our borders following the disastrous border policies of the former Labor government which had weakened our national security dramatically, the prime minister told parliament on Thursday.