Tony Abbott has dismissed the idea that Malcolm Turnbull is going after his job, saying it is "perfectly reasonable" that senior Coalition MPs meet with members of the crossbench following Mr Turnbull's dinner with Clive Palmer last week.

In a sign of the delicate relationship between Mr Abbott and Mr Palmer, the Prime Minister would also not be drawn on whether he thought the Palmer United Party leader was honest.

"It's not my job to give a character reference for my political competitors," he told Channel Ten. "But on the other hand, it's also not my job to impugn the integrity of people who may well be our negotiating partners."

The Coalition faces a tough battle to get key budget measures through the Senate, such as the GP co-payment and changes to pensions, Newstart and university fees. Labor, the Greens and the Palmer United Party have all expressed opposition to the plans.