Tony Abbott has talked up the merits of the "Abbott-Turnbull government" on the hustings in north Queensland.
The former prime minister campaigned in the Liberal National Party-held seat of Dawson on Friday ahead of the July 2 election.
Speaking at the property of Michael Deguara, which he first visited in 2012, Mr Abbott said it was "lovely to be back here at Mick's farm to remind people of the strong record that the government has, the Abbott-Turnbull government has, when it comes to this area".
Dawson MP George Christensen has been campaigning on the issue of stopping Syrian refugees from being resettled in his community, which has been hit hard by the mining industry downturn.
The MP argues an influx of people will detract from jobs for locals.
Asked about the issue, Mr Abbott said the placement of the 12,000 Syrians was a "matter for the government".
"The important thing is for people to come and be placed where they can make the most of their new country and we can make the most of them," he told Seven News.
Mr Abbott said the best thing that could be done for jobs in the region would be for the Adani mine to be approved and for environmental activists to stop engaging in "lawfare".
Having led his party to victory in 2013, the former Liberal leader said the 2016 campaign, in which he is a humble backbencher, was a "change of pace" for him.
Mr Abbott declined to comment on his former chief of staff Peta Credlin's description of his successor Malcolm Turnbull as "Mr Harbourside Mansion".
"I'm not going to run a commentary on a commentary."
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