Abbott not ruling out cabinet return

Former prime minister Tony Abbott is not ruling out a return to cabinet in a Malcolm Turnbull government, but says it's entirely hypothetical.

Tony Abbott (pic) is not ruling out a return to cabinet in a Malcolm Turnbull government. (AAP)

Tony Abbott is not ruling out serving in the cabinet of a re-elected Turnbull government, even if he believes such a suggestion is entirely hypothetical.

The former prime minister told Neil Mitchell on Radio 3AW his purpose was to be the best possible local member in his Sydney seat of Warringah.

But when asked about possibly returning to cabinet under Malcolm Turnbull, he said: "Let's see what happens after the election. The question of going back into cabinet is entirely hypothetical".