Former prime minister and staunch monarchist Tony Abbott hopes an Australian republic will not happen in his lifetime.

The issue has been in the limelight this week after former Labor prime minister Paul Keating lashed recently-toppled Liberal PM and Mr Abbott's rival Malcolm Turnbull over the issue.

Mr Keating said Mr Turnbull had capitulated to conservatives in the Liberal Party by failing to hold another referendum over a republic, a key cause supported by the former Liberal prime minister.

Mr Abbott didn't weigh into the sledge match, but said he hopes he won't see a republic in his lifetime.