Abbott to remain in federal parliament

Former prime minister Tony Abbott will remain in the parliament for the foreseeable future.

Mr Abbott, who lost the Liberal leadership and prime ministership to Malcolm Turnbull on Monday, hasn't been seen in the parliamentary chamber since the party room ballot.

He told news.com.au it was his "intention" to remain in the parliament as the MP for Warringah and he would spend some time with his family to think about the future.

Mr Turnbull told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday he had spoken with Mr Abbott.

"But he hasn't given me an indication in those terms (about whether he will remain in parliament)," he said.