One of Prime Minister Tony Abbott's most vocal backbench critics is facing a preselection battle to keep her LNP endorsement.

Brisbane MP Teresa Gambaro, who earlier this year appeared to criticise Mr Abbott's "sabre rattling" diplomacy, will face competition from National Retail Association chief executive Trevor Evans in an LNP preselection ballot.

FOI documents have revealed retiring Brisbane MP Teresa Gambaro ignored departmental advice to move into an electorate office with LNP links. Credit:Andrew Meares

Mr Evans was chief of staff and campaign director for present Immigration Minister Peter Dutton in 2010, when the Coalition was in opposition.

Ms Gambaro, who served as the Member for Petrie in the Howard government, had earlier hit out at the way the Prime Minister's office had attempted to control the Liberal party room.