Tony Abbott defends green army amid reports it will be scrapped

'It's a bad principle to axe your own policy for the Greens policy,' former prime minister complains

Tony Abbott has lashed out after reports that the green army will be scrapped in the looming midyear budget update, declaring that he is "dismayed" by the development and accusing Malcolm Turnbull of dancing to the tune of the Greens.

The former prime minister took to social media on Monday to defend the program he launched after reports it would be axed to help fund the government's parliamentary deal with the Greens to restore $100m to Landcare.