Learn from UK poll saga: Abbott

Former prime minister Tony Abbott has urged his successor, Malcolm Turnbull, to learn lessons from British Prime Minister Theresa May's disastrous election campaign.

Mr Abbott says like most pundits he thought Mrs May was on track for comfortable win.

"If you coast, you come unstuck," he told 2GB on Monday.

He said politicians who are complacent and overconfident normally get punished by voters.

Mr Abbott said Opposition Leader Bill Shorten should not be underestimated in light of the strong result of UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

"There should be no doubt, as things stand, Bill Shorten would have to be the favourite to win the next election," Mr Abbott said.