Former prime minister Tony Abbott says there is "potential for corruption" within the NSW Liberal Party, as long as lobbyists control the factions that effectively decide preselections.

Mr Abbott has also blasted the "toxic" culture of leaking from partyroom meetings, and when questioned on a return to the leadership, said he stands "ready to serve", but is "perfectly content serving as the member for Warringah".

"I want to see much less factionalism within the Liberal Party," he told Fairfax Media.

"There is a potential for corruption when you've got people making money out of people whose preselections they can control or heavily influence."