"Phoney Tony" returns!

Tony Abbott will personally make any decision to turn around boats carrying asylum seekers if he becomes prime minister.

Mr Abbott revealed yesterday how his pledge to turn back the boats would work.

"In the end it would be a prime ministerial decision," he said.

"It would be the Government's call based on advice of the commander on the spot."

Mr Abbott said the phonecall from sea would come to him - on the boat phone - and it would be his choice whether or not to turn a boat back if it was safe to do so.