Some ministers were blaming Mr Abbott's periodic outbursts, such as last week's provocative speech to a climate denial forum in London, as a deliberate strategy for keeping the polls depressed.

The Coalition continues to flatline despite a big focus in recent weeks on cost of living pressures, including the cost of gas and energy, and an overhaul of private health insurance announced Friday.

Mr Abbott said on Monday he had not quite given up hope he may one day be leader again, but said he would have to be drafted.

"When you're an ex (leader) the only way you can come back is if you are drafted," he told radio 2GB.

David Rowe

"That's a pretty rare and unusual business in politics.

"The only way an ex could ever come back is by way of a draft and that's almost impossible to imagine."

In 2013, Kevin Rudd was an ex leader drafted to take over the leadership from Julia Gillard. In 2015, Mr Turnbull, an ex-leader, was drafted to roll Mr Abbott.


Mr Abbott suggested Mr Turnbull had himself to blame for the focus on Newspoll given Mr Turnbull cited 30 successive negative Newspolls as a key reason for rolling Mr Abbott in 2015.

"This was the test the Prime Minister set for leaders, it's his test not mine," he said.

Mr Abbott said the government should focus on getting the policy settings right over the longer term and the polls would look after themselves.

"My point always was the important thing was not to focus on a fortnightly or three-weekly Newspoll, the important thing was to get the policy right," he said.

Treasurer Scott Morrison said the notion of Mr Abbott being drafted was "rubbish".

"I don't know who is suggesting it, but I have never heard it and it is absolute rubbish. Nor is he seeking it by the way. He said that himself," he said.

Education Minister Simon Birmingham suggested Mr Abbott's periodic interventions were not helping.

"Any perception that the government is not focusing on the things the public cares about is an unhelpful perception," Senator Birmingham told Sky News.


Asked if Mr Abbott knew what he was doing, Senator Birmingham, said "that's a question for him".

But Mr Abbott's backbench ally Craig Kelly said linking Mr Abbott's controversial London speech was "a long bow to draw".

Mr Kelly ruled out any leadership move, saying once the public saw the Coalition's energy policy, they would see a "real difference" between Labor and Liberal and "that will turn the polls around".

One Liberal said his dog had a better chance of being drafted than Mr Abbott.