FORMER prime minister Tony Abbott has been slammed as “self-indulgent” after he listed his biggest regrets of his two-year leadership period in a revealing essay.

Labor frontbencher Richard Marles has described an extract of the essay, published in The Weekend Australian, as evidence of Mr Abbott “hijacking” the government’s agenda.

He described the piece as a “self-indulgent” attempt to “command the front pages of our nations’ newspapers at will”.

In the essay written for Quadrant magazine, Mr Abbott admitted to a series of errors he believed led to his downfall, including his promise of a paid parental leave scheme, and only appointing one woman to the cabinet.

But if you were expecting him to take this opportunity to apologise for that “suppository of all wisdom” gaffe, or those infamous red budgie smugglers, we’re afraid you’ll be disappointed.

“I can’t let pride in what was achieved under my leadership blind me to the flaws that made its termination easier, even if claims were exaggerated or exploited in self-serving ways,” he wrote.

“I made some unnecessary enemies and left too many friends feeling under-appreciated.”

On his six-months-at-full-pay parental leave proposal, he said it must made be made easier for couples who want children to be able to combine work and family.

“Well before a group of conservative dissidents had emerged, I should have concluded that budget realities made this policy undeliverable.”

On Julie Bishop being the only initial female cabinet member, he said this was “an avoidable error”.

Mr Abbott also opened up about the infamous decision to knight Prince Philip on Australia Day, expressing that it was a “personal decision” to restore knighthoods, and one of his biggest regrets.

He said it was the talk of his colleagues at the attempted leadership spill a fortnight later, adding: “I should have anticipated this hostility ... and I should have left these awards in the hands of the council of the order.”

He also wished he’d spent a lot more time in the spotlight, saying he should have done more in-depth media interviews so “voters (could) see more personality and less adversarial sparring”.

He did defend several other major issues over his time as Prime Minister, saying he wouldn’t have changed his stance on same-sex marriage, climate change or national security. He especially credited his government with stopping the boats, which he said was “supposed to be impossible”.

He believes one of the public’s main gripes with the Abbott government was due to their “reluctance to accept that short-term pain might be needed for long-term gain” - referencing the Medicare co-payment, pension reforms, cuts to health and education, and other reforms in the controversial 2014 budget.

He said there was a “moral purpose” to these things, but said this was “lost in a welter of complaints about cruel cuts and broken promises”.

Some people on social media praised the former PM for openly admitting to his mistakes, calling it a “sign of strength”.

But many on Twitter were quick to take a critical stance.

Still deluded. It's the big things you got fundamentally wrong Tony, not the small things. Retire please. https://t.co/g1q76nujmY — The Goanna (@wildgoanna) April 25, 2016

"Former PM Tony Abbott has admitted to his failings while prime minister” Was it all the #LibLies? Going back on election promises? #auspol — Fluffy (@da_fluffy1) April 24, 2016

Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Chris Pyne has defended the extract, telling Sky News it’s evidence of “clearing the air and moving on”.

Shortly after the extract was published, Tony Abbott gave his first interview with the ABC since losing his title as prime minister.

He maintained his belief that he led a good government, but knows it wasn’t perfect.

“I think it’s given the Turnbull government an excellent record to take into the campaign, but plainly you don’t get rolled after two years in the top job if you’re perfect.

“I think it is important to take a look at the Abbott Government in the broad. Obviously the politics were difficult and from time to time, with the best will in the world, I probably got some things wrong.”

He dismissed calls for a royal commission into the banks, saying “there is a strong and effective watchdog already in the banking sector”.

Mr Abbott also reflected on the fight against Islamic State – an issue on which he has remained vocal since falling from the top job.

He referred to the infamous moment in 2013 in which he summarised the conflict in Syria as “baddies vs baddies”, and said that it’s now a case of “baddies vs worsies”.

“If the Australian government were to choose to do more in concert with our allies, obviously they’d be getting no arguments from me.

“Our fundamental objective is to defeat and destroy this caliphate as soon as possible. The caliphate was the inspiration, it seems, for the three brushes with terrorism we’ve had here in Australia so far.”

Lastly, he confirmed that he has no intention of leaving Parliament any time soon, making him only the second PM since Gough Whitlam to remain.

“I will certainly be working hard for the election of the Turnbull Government,” he said.

“Obviously I’m first and foremost the candidate for Warringah … but I will be lending a helping hand where requested to other campaigns.

“It is very, very important that our sitting members are returned, that our good candidates are elected, and that we have the best possible government after July 2.”