Coalition sources told The Australian Financial Review that Mr Abbott should be considered for cabinet, possibly the Defence portfolio. Immigration minister Peter Dutton with former prime minister Tony Abbott. Credit:Andrew Meares Speaking on Sydney's 2GB radio, Mr Dutton agreed some Coalition members would argue for Mr Abbott to be given a cabinet position after the election. "I think some people will push for that and I think it is an issue for Malcolm Turnbull as it is for all of us that are ministers or want to be ministers in a Turnbull government," he said. "I think that's a decision for the Prime Minister to make but the most important thing is for us to get re-elected.

"Tony will make a great contribution in public life, in Parliament, he's a good friend to all of us and he wants Malcolm Turnbull to be re-elected as prime minister. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is stalked by a Tony Abbott cut-out wielded by a member of the satirical Chaser program. Credit:Andrew Meares In a separate interview on Thursday, Mr Abbott said he expected to be a very busy local member after the election. "I am not expecting to go back into the ministry and I'm not going to speculate on speculation. "It is the job of members of Parliament to serve, that's why we're there, and I am expecting to serve the people of Warringah in the new Parliament," Mr Abbott said.

Mr Turnbull used a press conference in Sydney to rebut the speculation. I am not expecting to go back into the ministry and I'm not going to speculate on speculation "As I've said before, the ministry that I am taking to the election will be the ministry after the election, if the Australian people choose to return my government to office," he said. Campaigning in South Australia, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said Mr Turnbull led "a divided party". "Who on Earth wants Tony Abbott to be the minister for education... the pensioners don't want Tony Abbott back in social services," he said.