Former PM Tony Abbott greeted by applause during first Question Time query since ousting

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott has been greeted with rapturous applause and cheers as he stood up during question time today - the first time he has done so since his ousting last year.

The member for Warringah was preparing to ask about the Singapore-Australian Free Trade Agreement when applause rung out from the Labor and government benches.

Mr Abbott greeted the reaction with humour, grinning and winking in response.

“Nice to be popular, Mr Speaker!” he said.

The backbencher went on to ask how the free trade agreement was supporting jobs and growth.

He was ousted by Malcolm Turnbull in September last year.