Former PM Tony Abbott hits Mandurah for Andrew Hastie

Mr Abbott, who was removed as Prime Minister in the last week of the Canning byelection, called on supporters of the Liberal party to unite behind Mr Hastie.

He said Mr Hastie remained the perfect candidate for Canning.

“First you have to like people, then you have to have patriotism, then you have to have a range of skills including problem solving and Andrew’s background as an SAS officer certainly demonstrated he was a patriot who could solve problems and he could lead people,” he said.

Mr Abbott said he understood how some people were dismayed when he lost the job of Prime Minister.

“But in the end, our duty to our country is to elect the best possible government and the best possible government is the Turnbull government,” he said.

“We have to just put our country ahead of our feelings, if you like, and elect the best possible government.

“People who are patriots, who want sensible economics, who want a strong Australia can feel very comfortable voting for Andrew Hastie.”

The former PM also launched a broadside on Labor opposition leader Bill Shorten.

“Now, to give Shorten his due, some people say will the real Malcolm Turnbull stand up,” he said.

“I think the real Malcolm Turnbull is standing up, I think the real Malcolm Turnbull is a middle of the road person.

“I reckon the better question is, 'Will the real Bill Shorten stand up?' because the real Bill Shorten is a right-wing union official in the Bob Hawke mould, but he sounds more like Bob Brown than Bob Hawke, and I think that is a pity for the Labor party.”

Mr Abbott was due to join locals for drinks at Cobblers Tavern on Wednesday night.