Tony Abbott says Australians will be voting for his legacy as well as Malcolm Turnbull's on July 2.
Launching his re-election campaign for the seat of Warringah on Sydney's northern beaches, the former prime minister urged voters to return the coalition government.
It would deliver stable, frugal, prudent and competent government that respected taxpayers, Mr Abbott said on Sunday, citing a shared legacy with his successor Mr Turnbull.
"We scrapped the carbon tax, we scrapped the mining tax. They said you'd never be able to do it but we did," Mr Abbott told supporters at the Queenscliff surf life saving club.
He also listed three free trade agreements, Sydney's second airport "that people had been procrastinating about for 50 years", and a strong start to repairing the budget among the government's achievements during his time as prime minister.
"And most of all ... we worked at home and abroad to keep this country safe in the face of challenges we have not seen for at least a generation," he said.
"So yes, this is my legacy, this is Malcolm Turnbull's legacy, and that's why it's so important that we re-elect a coalition government on July 2."
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said at least Mr Abbott was consistent.
"Malcolm Turnbull is coming in the back door - by stealth," he told reporters on the NSW north coast.
"(Mr Abbott) seems to keep popping up, much to Malcolm Turnbull's annoyance."
Mr Turnbull didn't attend the launch.
"I'm looking forward to campaigning with him in Warringah. That would be delightful," he told reporters in southwestern Sydney.
"I might paddle my kayak across the harbour to join him."
Later Mr Abbott said he would serve a full-term in office if re-elected but a return to the frontbench would be a matter for the prime minister.
"I'm am not stamping my feet, shaking my dummy, saying `I demand a frontbench role'. I'm not doing that," he told Sky News.
"... I want the people of Warringah to know my focus is them. My focus is not angling for something after the election."
Mr Abbott said his focus was to the ensure the coalition was re-elected on July 2.
"I'm running again to be the member for Warringah but I am running to support the Turnbull government and whatever the campaign thinks I might be best doing, that's what I'm very happy to do.
"It's not a question of my expectations, it's a question of what is going to best help the (coalition's) campaign. It's not about me ... it's about the party, the government and ultimately, the country."
