Abbott declines to score Turnbull year

Former prime minister Tony Abbott says it is up to the public, not him or other politicians, to score the performance of the Turnbull government.

Tony Abbott says the tough election win is a credit to his successor Malcolm Turnbull. (AAP)

Tony Abbott isn not about to give Malcolm Turnbull a score out of 10 for his successor's first year as prime minister.

"It is up to the public to score us politicians ... but this is a good government, it's got a strong mandate and we're getting on with it," he told reporters at Parliament House in Canberra on Monday.

Mr Abbott's former of chief of staff Peta Credlin, who also lost her job a year ago, was more forthcoming.

"For a guy with so much promise to start with, the reality of Malcolm Turnbull as prime minister has been a bitter disappointment," she wrote in The Australian.

"Once so loved in the seats that don't determine elections, he's now reviled in those that do."

Asked whether losing the leadership still hurt, Mr Abbott insisted it was not about him.

"It never has been about me. It's got to be about our country," he said.

"The best thing for our country right now is to get behind the Turnbull government and help a good government to succeed."

The now-backbencher said he had 12 months to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of his government.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said the coalition had delivered good government during the past three years.

The Turnbull government had "built on the progress" of the Abbott government in the past 12 months.

Senator Cormann played down Mr Abbott's recent media appearances and vocalness on policy matters.

Cabinet colleague Simon Birmingham said the economy was always the number one issue on which a coalition government should focus.

"That is the first, second and third priority - sitting alongside national security," he told Sky News.