Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has hit back at Tony Abbott's claim that the current Government will fight this year's election on the Abbott government's record.

Key points: Turnbull says Abbott not right to take credit for current policies

Turnbull says Abbott not right to take credit for current policies PM highlights his work on media law changes, Senate reform

PM highlights his work on media law changes, Senate reform Abbott describes Turnbull election threat as 'intelligent brinkmanship'

On Monday night Mr Abbott told Sky News Mr Turnbull was seeking election on the basis of Abbott government policies including "stopping the boats, finalising the free trade agreements, our strong national security policy and now of course our workplace relations policy".

Speaking from London, Mr Abbott praised Mr Turnbull's "intelligent brinkmanship" in committing to call a double dissolution election if industrial relations bills are blocked by the Senate for a second time.

The former prime minister said his own government was elected on a mandate that included the re-introduction of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC), which is the central bill being used as a possible double dissolution trigger.

"It's very easy for me to campaign for the election of the Turnbull Government because the Turnbull Government is running on the Abbott government's record because it's a very strong record," Mr Abbott said.

Mr Turnbull hit back this morning, telling AM that Mr Abbott was "not right in that sense".

"The bottom line is there is continuity and there is change," Mr Turnbull said.

"There are many policies that have been announced and many initiatives that have been undertaken that were either not policies or not being pursued by Mr Abbott."

Mr Turnbull also pointed to the Senate voting changes, media law reform and the focus on innovation as other examples.

Employment Minister Michaelia Cash also focused on the phrase "continuity and change" when she was questioned about Mr Abbott's comments.

Senator Cash said Mr Abbott was an effective member of the Government who was entitled to give his point of view.

A number of media commentators have already picked up on the "continuity and change" line, pointing out the similarity with a campaign slogan used in the fictional US political comedy Veep.

'Clear bitterness between Abbott, Turnbull'

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said there was "clear bitterness" between Mr Turnbull and his predecessor, describing a party at war with itself.

Mr Shorten told media today he supported Mr Abbott's claims that the Liberals would be campaigning on his policies.

"The truth is 80 per cent of the laws which Mr Turnbull has in Parliament were designed by Mr Abbott," Mr Shorten said.

"It doesn't matter who is in charge of the Liberal Party, be it Mr Abbott, or Mr Turnbull, it is all continuity with no change."

Mr Shorten said he did not expect the Coalition to garner enough support from the crossbench to pass legislation reinstating the construction watchdog, meaning a double dissolution on July 2 was inevitable.

He said Australia was in for a 103-day election campaign.

But Liberal senator Eric Abetz said Mr Turnbull's actions in calling a lengthy election campaign had given the Government clear direction.

Senator Abetz, a staunch defender of Mr Abbott, told the ABC there had previously been "some concern expressed in some quarters" over the direction of the Coalition under Mr Turnbull's leadership.

"[But] yesterday he showed clear direction, and has given the Australian people an indication that he has worked on a plan that he now seeks to execute for the benefit of the Australian people," Senator Abetz said.

Senator Abetz said that Mr Abbott had also considered calling a double dissolution when in power, stating "there have been all sorts of discussions, including this possibility".