Malcolm Turnbull’s ousting of outgoing Prime Minister Tony Abbott shows Mr Turnbull is a selfish egotist, former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett says.

Speaking on the ABC on Monday afternoon in the wake of Mr Turnbull’s challenge to Mr Abbott’s leadership, which was ultimately successful, Mr Kennett said Mr Abbott had led a successful government that had stopped asylum seeker boats and signed free trade agreements with China, South Korea and Japan.

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“I am profoundly disappointed,” Mr Kennett said.

“This is the act of an egotist, a selfish individual who has consistently proved himself not to be a team player but one who pursues self-interest.”

Mr Kennett said Mr Turnbull had consistently acted outside his former brief as Communications Minister with the intention of increasing his public profile and popularity.

“This act by Mal, Malcolm Turnbull, is one of gross disloyalty, extreme egotism and he is, without a doubt, the Kevin Rudd of the Liberal Party,” he added.

“Now whether he gets the numbers or not I don’t know, but I can tell you this.

“We must be the laughing stock to the world, to John Key in New Zealand, to David Cameron in the UK, to the best leader at the moment Angela Merkel.

“We want to change our leaders every two years.”

Kennett continued his tirade on Twitter.

Malcolm Turnbull, You self centered, selfish individual. It has always been about you. Zoe Kerry Packer, and your performance for the 1/2

— Jeff Kennett (@jeff_kennett) September 14, 2015

2/2 few years. You and K Rudd have so much in common.. Pity you did not have the discipline that is represented by Andrew Hastie. You 3/3

— Jeff Kennett (@jeff_kennett) September 14, 2015

3/3 selfish undisciplined individual. If you win the spill you lose. You have ignored the Govts wins and put your own interests above all. — Jeff Kennett (@jeff_kennett) September 14, 2015

Turnbull won the leadership ballot 54-44 late on Monday evening, while there was one informal vote.

Julie Bishop also remained the deputy leader of the Liberal Party after toppling Kevin Andrews 70-30 in that vote.