Turnbull gives Hockey praise and a dig

Malcolm Turnbull has praised former cabinet colleague Joe Hockey for navigating the US election, but had a dig at his role in breaking a marble table on the night Tony Abbott was deposed as Liberal leader.

Speaking to Triple M's Mick Molloy, who thanked the Australian ambassador to the US for hosting him at an election night party at the Washington embassy, the prime minister joked he hoped there were no breakages.

"One of the great things Joe has done and indeed our government has done, is made sure that we stayed in touch with both sides in the election campaign so that whatever the result we were able to get off to a good start with the new administration," he said.