That’s the view of popular Dubbo priest Father Paul Devitt who doubts his former classmate will last long as leader of the Liberal Party.

Father Paul and Mr Abbott spent a year together at St Patrick’s Seminary in Manly before the would-be Prime Minister abandoned plans to join the priesthood.

“I lean more to the left politically than Tony,’’ Father Paul told the Daily Liberal yesterday.

“He is an intelligent bloke and good fun. He earned the nickname The Mad Monk during his time at the seminary and wouldn’t be offended by the label Captain Catholic.

“Tony is very thick skinned - you couldn’t offend him with a shotgun.’’

Mr Abbott was born in London to Australian parents who returned to Sydney in 1960.

He was educated at St Aloysius College before moving on to St Ignatius College, Riverview and graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Laws.

At university Mr Abbott was active in student politics, gaining media attention for his political stance opposing left-wing student leaders.

He was also a prominent student boxer.

Mr Abbott went on to attend Queen’s College, Oxford, as a Rhodes Scholar and graduated with a Master of Arts.

Father Paul declined to say whether Mr Abbott would have made a good priest.

“He wears his Catholicism on his sleeve and has firm views and a clear stance on issues like abortion,’’ Father Paul said.

After leaving St Patrick’s Seminary Mr Abbott worked as a journalist and concrete plant manager before becoming press secretary to Opposition Leader Dr John Hewson in 1990-93. Between 1993-94 he was the executive director of Australians for Constitutional Monarchy.

Mr Abbott as elected as Member for Warringah in 1994 and has served in numerous portfolios.

Widely known as an outspoken socially conservative Catholic, he has consistently voted against relaxing laws on abortion, same-sex marriages and stem cell research, and is a supporter of strong immigration policies.

Mr Abbott is also famous for his sceptical views on climate change, which he has in the past dismissed as faddish.

Father Paul views religious tags as “not important” in politics.

“The real test is the ability to do a good job,’’ he said.

“I don’t think Tony will last long in his new position. Before long the Liberal Party will have a new leader and new front bench. In my view, two or three elections will pass before the Liberals have a chance of gaining power.

“Tony may well be Prime Minister some day in the future. That is what he is angling for.’’

heather.crosby@ruralpress.com