Abbott entitled to speak in US: PM

Labor frontbencher Brendan O’Connor said Mr Abbott’s decision would cause havoc in coalition ranks.

Tony Abbott’s sister Christine Forster, the prominent same sex marriage campaigner, says she was “disappointed” when she learned the former prime minister plans to address American anti-gay group, the Alliance Defending Freedom.

He will once again contest the Sydney northern beach seat of Warringah, which he has held for the past 22 years.

Senator Abetz said Kevin Rudd was “about one thing only – Kevin Rudd” whereas Mr Abbott was all about “the Australian people”.

But in a statement, he confirmed he would recontest the seat, saying his colleagues had encouraged him to stay in politics after leaving the prime ministership a year ago.

Since winning power, former banker Turnbull, 61, has turned around the Liberal-National coalition’s prospects for re- election, giving the government an election-winning lead over Labor in opinion polls.

“I have been heartened by the support and encouragement I’ve received to continue to serve the country as a Member of Parliament”, said Mr Abbott on his website.

“Therefore, I am renominating to represent the people of Warringah for another term as their Liberal MP”.

A spokesperson for Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said: “As hard as Malcolm Turnbull tries to get rid of Tony Abbott, he just can’t”.

“Kevin Rudd was always about one thing only, Kevin Rudd, whereas Tony Abbott has always been about one thing, namely the Australian people”.

“Everybody is going to speculate in the manner that they want to but the simple fact is that Tony Abbott has made a very significant contribution to Australia in a host of portfolios and in the leadership”.

“I hope to retain their trust and confidence”, he said.

Speaking to ABC radio on Monday morning, Liberal ally and former cabinet minister, Senator Eric Abetz said Mr Abbott had plenty of “good years of service” left in him, following the ex-PM’s official announcement on Sunday night that he would recontest his federal seat of Warringah.

Abbott was defeated in a leadership spill in September.