''Mr Jones has sought to lead 'people's revolts' for many years. But this was indeed a popular revolt against vicious and destructive public discourse … It is difficult not to believe that he is getting a dose of his own medicine ...

''Mr Jones has complained that he has been the victim of social media bullying, saying that if it happened anywhere else in society, this kind of bullying or harassment or intimidation or threatening conduct, the police would be called in.

''But Mr Jones believes his association with certain products will encourage people to buy them … If other people take the view that an association with Mr Jones will lead them not to buy those products, why are they not able to tell the advertiser of their view and encourage others to do the same?''

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott today played down the suggestion that Mr Turnbull had contradicted his position on Mr Jones.



While Mr Abbott has said Mr Jones did the wrong thing, he has also suggested the radio announcer has been targeted.



"I think there are a lot of people who are looking for every possible opportunity to victimise and demonise people who they don't agree with politically," Mr Abbott said yesterday on 3AW.



This morning, Mr Abbott said that free speech was an "absolute core principle" of the Liberal Party.



"That’s why Malcolm was out there last night giving a ringing declaration of free speech. It’s something on which every Liberal, every member of the Coalition, is absolutely united," he told reporters in Canberra.

Mr Turnbull said the Jones episode bolstered the case against more media regulation.