Coalition doing OK in campaign: Howard

Former prime minister John Howard has rated the Coalition's campaign performance to date as 'okay', Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says.

Ex-prime ministers Tony Abbott (R) and John Howard's (L). Source: AAP

Mr Abbott told ABC Radio in Brisbane he had spoken with Mr Howard, who he described as his "great political mentor", on the phone a few days ago.

"He thinks that we are doing okay but I'll let him speak for himself," Mr Abbott said.

Mr Abbott said he regularly consulted a wide circle of friends.

"The guys I go cycling with, the guys I go surfing with, my family ..." he said.

"My wife (Margie) is a very shrewd observer of the passing parade.

"She is not a very political animal and she has her own life but it's precisely because she is not in the beltway the way I might be ... that when she speaks it's a very foolish me that doesn't listen."