Prime Minister Tony Abbott has admitted he made a "terrible mistake" by losing touch with the concerns of government backbenchers before last week's leadership spill – a veiled swipe at the performance of sacked government whip Philip Ruddock.

The removal of the respected party elder has angered some government backbenchers, with Queensland MP Andrew Laming labelling the move a "scapegoating of Godzilla proportions" and saying its timing "reeks of recrimination".

Government unrest grew on Sunday following a damaging cabinet leak that Mr Abbott and his chief of staff Peta Credlin had pushed for a six-month wait for the dole for young Australians against the advice of relevant ministers Kevin Andrews and Eric Abetz.

New Social Services Minister Scott Morrison has indicated that the policy will be abandoned after failing to secure the support of the Senate crossbench.