Parliament: the smartest guy in the room?

Tony Abbott hopes that when history is written he will be remembered as a wise man.

"That's a very nice thought," he told ABC radio, somewhat bashfully, in Adelaide on Tuesday when it was suggested he was the wisest person in parliament.

"I hope that when the history of these times are written, that's the conclusion people would come to."

Mr Abbott made the remark as his judgment is being questioned in relation to his "captain's pick" of Bronwyn Bishop as Speaker.

Mr Abbott admits he's trying to avoid another captain's pick for Mrs Bishop's replacement.

For those wondering why the leader of the nation wanted to leave it to others to make such an important decision, Mr Abbott was modest.

Asked if the Liberal Party would naturally turn to the wisest person in parliament for an opinion on such matters, Mr Abbott responded: "Who are specifying?

Well, you, prime minister.

"I'm happy to bask in that compliment," he said.

"In the end some judgments are best arrived at without too much guidance from up high."