Malcolm Turnbull has called for an end to "spin and slogans" in political debate, as he declared Tony Abbott would lead the coalition to the next election.
Mr Turnbull used a speech in Brisbane on Wednesday to lay out how economic management could be used to turn around the coalition's prospects.
Three polls released this week have the coalition trailing Labor by an average 46-54 in two party terms, continuing a trend set almost 12 months ago.
Mr Turnbull said the key issue for the government was confidence.
"It is critical that the public have confidence economic management is in safe and competent hands," he said.
"That means policies need to be carefully thought through, painstakingly explained and be robust enough to withstand rigorous policy debate.
"The time for spin and slogans is over."
The communications minister said Australians wanted their politicians to debate solutions "honestly, transparently and with open minds".
The speech came amid a furore over Mr Abbott's comment regarding remote indigenous communities that it was not taxpayers' lot to "subsidise lifestyle choices".
Indigenous leaders have described the comment - picked up in international media - as "disgraceful" and "offensive".
Mr Turnbull, who defended Mr Abbott's track record of support for indigenous people, said such issues needed to be dealt with rationally.
"Rather than - as is often the case with the prime minister - whenever he opens his mouth his critics leap on him like a pack of forwards onto a bit of loose ball."
The prime minister had accepted the failed spill motion last month as a wake-up call, he said.
However, the former Liberal leader - who has consistently rated as a better PM than Mr Abbott - said Australians should "assume Tony Abbott will remain leader of the Liberal Party and hence the prime minister up to the next election".
Mr Abbott told reporters in Mount Gambier he was focused on things that mattered to Australians.
"Our challenge is to be a better government tomorrow than we are today," he said.
He said he was comfortable with his credentials on indigenous issues.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said Mr Abbott should apologise over his comment, describing him as "living in the 1950s".
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