Abbott still wants to be PM: Barnaby

Barnaby Joyce believes Tony Abbott still holds ambitions for the Liberal leadership.

But the party has moved on, the deputy prime minister says.

"He will want to but he'll realise he can't," Mr Joyce told AAP on Tuesday, when asked whether Mr Abbott still desired the prime ministership.

"To say that he doesn't have a desire is ridiculous - to say that he can't overcome that desire by the reality that's just not going to happen (is another)."

The Nationals leader said that all politicians were motivated to do their best and Mr Abbott was no exception.

Leadership spills don't quell ambition and don't result in a "physiological" change.

"Human nature being what it is, people who've had that desire will maintain that desire to win," Mr Joyce said.

"Tony Abbott is by nature a very competitive person."