Former prime minister Tony Abbott has categorically rejected Malcolm Turnbull's allegation that traditional cabinet processes were absent under his leadership.

Key points: Turnbull inferred Abbott's Cabinet needed order restored

Turnbull inferred Abbott's Cabinet needed order restored Abbott said Turnbull's allegations "absolutely false"

Abbott said Turnbull's allegations "absolutely false" Abbott says his government's record of success was due to a strong cabinet process

When promoting Arthur Sinodinos to Industry Minister on Wednesday, Mr Turnbull said Mr Sinodinos restored order to the Cabinet after the July election.

"As Cabinet Secretary, Arthur restored traditional cabinet processes," Mr Turnbull said.

"That being done, he can now turn his talents to a frontline portfolio and the Cabinet Secretary function can return to the Prime Ministers' Office, as has been the practice of Coalition governments in the past."

Mr Abbott said it was "completely false" to say that cabinet processes needed to be improved after he was removed from office.

"Absolutely false," he told reporters in South Australia.

"As I have said to the Prime Minister on many times, I will defend the record of my government.

"It was a very good government — sure it only lasted two years — but an enormous amount was done in just two years.

"You don't have such a record of success without a very strong and orthodox cabinet process."

Some MPs still angered by how Abbott ran Cabinet

When Mr Abbott survived a leadership spill in early 2015, he promised to be "much more consultative" with Cabinet colleagues and the backbench.

"We will socialise decisions before we finalise them, and that way we're more likely to take the people with us," he said.

But some Coalition MPs raised concerns about his office's centralised approach to decision making, which included criticism of his chief of staff Peta Credlin.

Many Coalition MPs, including ministers, are still privately scathing about the way Mr Abbott's office and cabinet were run.

After ousting Mr Abbott in September 2015, Mr Turnbull announced "a process of renewal" and removed Joe Hockey, Eric Abetz, Kevin Andrews and Ian Macfarlane from Cabinet.

Mr Abbott has defended his government's record on several occasions, including the creation of the Green Army program that was axed by the Turnbull Government.

"That would hardly be a smart move for a centre-right Government," he said in December.

The pair publicly clashed in October last year during a debate on the Adler shotgun, with Mr Abbott claiming he had been "most grievously misrepresented".

Mr Abbott said the highlights of his government included stopping the boats, building roads, making a start on budget repair, and scrapping the mining and carbon taxes.

The former prime minister also defended his record on Twitter, saying traditional cabinet processes operated at all times under his Government.

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