Abbott to the backbench as new cabinet takes its place

For the first time in nearly 20 years Tony Abbott will be absent from the Liberal front bench as a fresh-faced new cabinet gets ready to take its place.

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott. (AAP) Source: AAP

Tony Abbott will sit on the backbench for the first time in nearly two decades when parliament resumes today.

Mr Abbott, who was deposed as the Liberal leader on September 15, has been a cabinet member since 1996 and a minister since 1998.

Following the spill motion in the last parliamentary sitting session, Mr Abbott did not take his place on the backbench.
Mr Abbott is yet to make a decision on his future, but former treasurer Joe Hockey is predicted to soon bid farewell to politics.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's new ministry will take its place on the front bench for the first time after being sworn in in mid-September.

Trade deals and counter-terrorism issues are set to dominate the week.

Debate on the China free trade agreement will resume tomorrow, and on Thursday security chiefs will meet to discuss what more can be done to counter the spread of violent extremism.

Conservative government MPs who did not back the leadership change to Malcolm Turnbull are putting on a
brave face as they return to Canberra.

Liberal senator Zed Seselja said Tony Abbott supporters were putting the spill behind them and have been having some "positive" discussions with Mr Turnbull.

"There's an overwhelming mood that we want to see the government succeed," he told ABC radio on Monday.

Mr Turnbull invited coalition MPs to a barbecue in the prime minister's courtyard on Sunday night ahead of parliament sitting for the next fortnight.

Northern Territory MP Natasha Griggs said her electorate wants her to work with the new leader.

"I can absolutely work with the current cabinet. There's a lot of fresh faces in there," she told ABC radio.

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Source: AAP



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