Update | Australian PM-elect Tony Abbott clamps down on illegal immigrants

As Australia's new government prepared to take control of the nation, Prime Minister-elect Tony Abbott vowed to implement a controversial plan to stop asylum seekers from reaching the nation's shores and immediately scrap an unpopular tax on carbon polluters.

Abbott, who has softened his macho image and ran a disciplined campaign in contrast to the disarray within the Labor-led government, took victory in his stride and began his day yesterday with his usual Sunday morning bike ride.

In an open letter, Abbott said he would immediately implement his border protection plan, under which the Australian navy would turn back Indonesian fishing boats carrying asylum seekers into Australian waters. The coalition has also proposed that the government buy old fishing boats from Indonesian fishermen to prevent people smugglers acquiring them.

In his letter, Abbott took a dig at the outgoing Labor government's notorious infighting. "We will be a careful, collegial, consultative, straight-forward government that says what it means and does what it says and that does not waste your money," he wrote.

Abbott also held briefings yesterday with defence and intelligence officials to get an update on the Syrian civil war. Abbott, whose party was criticised for undervaluing foreign relations, drew flak last week for describing the Syrian crisis in an interview as "baddies versus baddies".

Just hours after declaring Australia was "under new management", the athletic premier-elect had donned his sky blue and purple Lycra shorts and helmet to join his mates cycling in Sydney.