On the coldest Brisbane morning in more than a century, Tony Abbott received the warmest of receptions when he addressed the LNP faithful at its annual conference on Saturday.

Border protection, the carbon tax repeal and the new composition of the Senate predictably formed the key components of the prime minister’s half hour long speech and while applause came thick and fast inside the Royal International Convention Centre at the RNA Showgrounds, the reception was frostier from a small group of protestors outside.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott speaks at the LNP state conference in Brisbane. Credit:Harrison Saragossi

Though vocal, the group failed to disrupt the delivery of Mr Abbott’s speech, and both he and foreign minister Julie Bishop managed to give the protesters the slip, the prime minister opting for a side entrance on his flying visit to the river city.

Inside, Mr Abbott mused on what he termed an “interesting week” in the Senate, in which Clive Palmer, whose trio of senators hold the balance of power, announced they would block the repeal of the carbon tax.