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Ousted Australian PM Abbott wants to remain in parliament

Xinhua, September 17, 2015 Adjust font size:

Ousted Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Thursday revealed plans to stay in parliament despite losing his position to Malcolm Turnbull.

Following Turnbull's victory, Abbott has not appeared in parliament, admitting to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation ( ABC) that he has been busy responding to well-wishers and spending time with his family.

"It's been a tumultuous week and I now intend to spend some time with my family to think about the future," Abbott said on Thursday.

"(But) my intention is to remain in the parliament."

Abbott said he had taken calls from other world leaders such as the United States' Barack Obama, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and the British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Abbott, who has not appeared in the House of Representatives since being beaten in the Liberal's party room ballot on Monday, will most likely take a place on the back bench, one move in what has been predicted as a major reshuffle of the cabinet.

Since taking over as prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull has foreshadowed drastic changes to the Liberal Party's cabinet positions, most of which he would announce on Monday.

Abbott-backers Eric Abetz and Kevin Andrews are tipped to be dumped from their positions as employment minister and defense minister respectively, while Peter Dutton resigned as immigration minister on Wednesday.

Education Minister Christopher Pyne and Social Services Minister Scott Morrison are tipped to be promoted to defense minister and treasurer respectively, meaning Abbott government Treasurer Joe Hockey is likely to be downgraded to Turnbull's old portfolio, communications.

Abbott is unlikely to retain a front bench position, instead, is expected to be relegated to the back bench where he will preside over his electorate in Sydney. Endi