"Just at this moment, let me tell you, we're at a bit of a low ebb," he told the meeting in the Melbourne seat of Deakin.. Tony Abbott outside the branch meeting of federal MP Michael Sukkar, in Croydon, Melbourne on Monday. Credit:Daniel Pockett "If you listen to some senior members of the government, because of the reality - the unfortunate reality - of the Senate, we have had to bring forward a budget which is second-best. A taxing and spending budget. "Not because we believe in these things, but because the Senate made us do it. Well, a party that has to do what's second-best because the Senate made us do it is a party which needs some help." Facing questions from members eager for him to return to the prime ministership, Mr Abbott said that, as a conservative, "your first duty is to improve the existing situation" rather than change it drastically.

"Our first responsibility is to fight so that the existing government, the existing cabinet and the existing prime minister are as good as they possibly can be," he said. Branch meeting: Michael Sukkar. Credit:Andrew Meares "One of the reasons why I'm speaking out is not because I think we've got to change the personnel but because I think we've got to just move the direction a little bit. "And if we can't, because of the Senate, entirely change the direction at least don't lose the sense of what the bloody direction should be, for God's sake. Former PM Tony Abbott is opposed to the Finkel review. Credit:Daniel Pockett

"You can't always determine the speed of the advance, but by God we should be able to determine the direction of the advance. We shouldn't let the Senate go the wrong way, even if it is trying to stop us from going very far in the right direction." Mr Abbott was invited to address Monday night's branch meeting in the electorate of Mr Sukkar, who played a significant role in putting together the May budget. Tony Abbott's latest foray has been to call the May budget "second best" in a speech to a Liberal Party branch meeting in Melbourne earlier this week. Branch members were invited to "a rare opportunity to join former prime minister Tony Abbott to discuss how to navigate the political sphere as a Christian and ensure legislation supports family values". The event was organised in conjunction with Mr Sukkar and respected HIV specialist Dr Ivan Stratov, a recent defector from the Family First party and convert to Mormonism.

A Liberal Party source who attended Monday night's meeting said the audience of about 200 was "basically in raptures" at the end of Mr Abbott's presentation. "He is definitely on the war path," the source said. "I have never seen him speaking so well or looking so good." Mr Abbott began his address by imploring members to heed the "two fundamental precepts" of Western civilisation, "both of which stem originally from the Gospel". Those were equality in the eyes of God ("equal rights, equal dignity, equal responsibilities"), and treating others as you would have them treat you. He also warned that, "for too long, the good people of our country have been too tolerant of people who do not share some of the fundamental values that have made us who we are". "As Michael [Sukkar] said a few moments ago, a majority that stays silent does not stay a majority," Mr Abbott said.

Asked about the environment, he said "politics has got in the way of common sense" and that climate change should not take precedence over living standards, national security or matters of deprivation and justice. "Yes it's an issue, but if it comes to a choice between your job and reducing emissions, I choose your job every time," he said to applause. Mr Abbott was also asked about the United Nations' Agenda 21 sustainable development plan, derided by some nationalists and conspiracy theorists as a ploy for global government. While he defended the globalised economy, he said: "There are a lot of people out there who worry about countries like Australia surrendering their sovereignty and losing, effectively, some of our independence. And I think this a real worry." Mr Abbott has made a string of appearances at think tanks, in the media and at party functions in the past week, stirring internal ructions and condemnation from ministers and MPs. He reflected on the criticism in his speech.

"Just at the moment, I'm not always the person that every Liberal wants to associate with," Mr Abbott said, to laughter. "But Michael [Sukkar] is someone who knows what he believes, he knows who his friends are, and he sticks by them through thick and thin. That's someone you can rely on." Mr Sukkar on Tuesday defended Mr Abbott's attendance of the branch meeting, saying it was a long-standing commitment and one that had engaged his branch members. He told Sky News he was "very proud" of the budget handed down in May and said the Turnbull government had got the major policy settings right. Loading

"It's a very routine branch meeting," Mr Sukkar said. "He certainly gave the government credit where it's due. I don't think there was anything that was a particularly tough critique." Follow us on Facebook