MPs need to engage with each other

Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese says politicians need to engage with each other and move away from slogans and simple solutions, which had been the key to Malcolm Turnbull's initial appeal.

Mr Albanese said Mr Turnbull's popularity at first went through the stratosphere, because he said he'd treat Australians like adults, but it had since fallen.

"I think Australians are looking for that, are looking for substance and are looking for as much unity as possible," he told the ABC Q and A program.

Mr Albanese said Australians breathed a sigh of relief when Tony Abbott ceased being prime minister.

"Now when they look at Malcolm Turnbull, they hear Tony Abbott," he said.

Industry Minister Christopher Pyne said Mr Turnbull looked, sounded and acted like a prime minister.

"He's obviously intelligent, he's a success in his own right and he's brought that success into politics. I think he will continue to be prime minister," he said.