‘A cancer’: How Abbott and Credlin control the Liberals

<p>Tony Abbott was on a layover in Dubai when he phoned Natasha Griggs &ndash; the president of the Country Liberal Party &ndash; and set off a chain reaction inside the Coalition.</p> <p>Hours later, Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price defected to the Liberals and a surprise leadership ticket was taking shape.</p> <p>For moderates, it was another sign that the former prime minister and his confidante, Peta Credlin, are still pulling the party&rsquo;s levers from the outside.</p> <p>Today, national correspondent for<em> The Saturday Paper </em>Jason Koutsoukis, on Tony Abbott, the shadow network steering the Liberals and why insiders say it&rsquo;s a cancer that&rsquo;s killing the party.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>If you enjoy <em>7am</em>, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Socials:</strong><strong> </strong>Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a></p> <p><strong>Guest:</strong> National correspondent for<em> The Saturday Paper</em>,<em> </em>Jason Koutsoukis.</p> <p><strong>Photo:&nbsp;</strong>Supplied</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>