Federal opposition frontbencher Malcolm Turnbull has out-trolled a "troll" by publishing on Twitter the name and phone number of a man he says has been sending him abusive text messages.

"I don't mind abusive emails or tweets but why does Thomas Lynch [mobile phone number omitted] think its ok to send me abusive smses about climate change," the former Liberal leader tweeted today.

Malcolm Turnbull Credit:Wayne Hawkins

The tweet, which has since been removed, also included a mobile phone number.

One of Mr Turnbull's more than 60,000 followers had asked if it was legal or ethical to publish the mobile phone number.