Ousted Tony Abbott says he intends to remain in parliament

An embattled Tony Abbott says he intends to remain a member of parliament, after Malcolm Turnbull ousted the former prime minister in a leadership challenge earlier this week.

“It’s been a tumultuous week, and now I intend to spend some time with my family to think about the future,” Mr Abbott told news.com.au.

“But my intention is to remain in the parliament.”

Mr Abbott did not address the media until after midday on Tuesday, after Mr Turnbull defeated him in the Liberal party leadership ballot on Monday night, 54 votes to 44.

READ MORE: Tony Abbott delivers his last national address as the Prime Minister

The former communications minister, Mr Turnbull said the party had lost confidence in Mr Abbott and needed a change at the top if they wanted to win the next federal election.

There has been rampant speculation about Mr Abbott’s future, as he did not make a statement either way on whether he would resign or stay in parliament during his final address to the nation as the prime minister.

READ MORE: Malcolm Turnbull to unveil new cabinet on Monday

If Mr Abbott remains in parliament, he is likely to be speculative fodder for political watchdogs, after former prime minister Kevin Rudd regained the prime ministership in 2013, almost three years after he lost it in a Labor leadership stoush with Julia Gillard in 2010.

Mr Abbott was first elected to parliament in 1994.