Prime Minister Tony Abbott says he has learnt a valuable lesson from the Liberal National Party's defeat in Queensland at last month's election.

Mr Abbott told Fairfax Radio 4BC he thought former premier Campbell Newman had done "a very good job for the people of Queensland".

With wife Lisa, Campbell Newman addresses supporters in Brisbane on election night. Credit:Glenn Hunt

However, he accepted Newman's combative style of governing was not popular.

"Yes it was a pretty bad result," Mr Abbott said of the election outcome, which saw the LNP swept from office and Newman losing his seat.