 Abbott said he was " humbled and daunted " by his unexpected election , while Hockey expressed surprise at his defeat . Upon his election , Abbott acknowledged his propensity for making controversial public statements — which with his Catholicism and background as a trainee priest earnt him the moniker of " the Mad Monk " — and apologised for all his " errors of the past " . A week after the ballot , Abbott named his Shadow Cabinet . Hockey remained in the key position of Shadow Treasurer . Three Howard government veterans — Kevin Andrews , Philip Ruddock and Bronwyn Bishop — were recalled from the backbench , and outspoken National Party MP and climate change sceptic Barnaby Joyce was appointed to the shadow Finance portfolio . Turnbull voluntarily moved to the backbench . 
