A SOCIAL networking exercise has backfired for Tony Abbott, with Twitter trolls seeking his counsel on a hoard of ridiculous topics.

The Opposition Leader regularly conducts a question and answer session via Twitter when he has spare moments carrying the hashtag #asktony.

But today's 20-minute session began trending after people started asking questions that ranged from nasty to just plain silly.

Mr Abbott responded to some serious questions on topics such as the carbon tax, asylum seekers and live cattle export.

But it didn't take long for the tone to change.

On a day in which the latest Newspoll showed Coalition support slightly down, some asked what it felt like to be so unpopular and whether he should be replaced.

Suggestions included fellow Liberal Malcolm Turnbull and reality TV star Lara Bingle.

Others asked about Mr Abbott's penchant for Speedos.

Less political-minded tweeters wanted to know who Tony was.

Other questions designed to get a giggle included:

- Does my bum look big in this?

- What is your favourite Enrique Iglesias best-of compilation?

- Would you rather be attacked by a hundred duck-sized horses or one horse-sized duck?

As news of the Twitter fun spread, another asked: "Do you think the #asktony idea was a good one?''

marszalekj@heraldsun.com.au

Originally published as Abbott's Twitter chat backfires