Former prime minister Tony Abbott will deliver another speech on Thursday as tensions continue in the Liberal party despite an apology from Christopher Pyne.
The defence industry minister has apologised for remarks which have widened the rift between moderates and conservatives in the Turnbull government.
He caused a stir after boasting of the supremacy of his moderate Liberal faction on the sidelines of a party meeting in Sydney last Friday.
He also suggested the legalisation of same-sex marriage could occur "sooner than everyone thinks" and revealed he had voted for Mr Turnbull at "every" leadership ballot he ran for despite being in Mr Abbott's leadership circle.
"I apologise to anyone they have offended. My remarks were ill chosen and unwise and I can see how unhelpful and damaging they have been," the South Australian MP said in a statement.
Mr Abbott said on Wednesday Mr Pyne's speech, which was leaked to the media, was "remarkably ill-advised and indiscreet" and could not have come at a worse time for the government.
"I can understand why some of my colleagues might be saying his position as Leader of the House is difficult to maintain but this is a matter for the prime minister," Mr Abbott said.
Mr Abbott has breathed new life into conservative forces, questioning the government's climate policy and commitment to economic reform and urging the party to stick to its same-sex marriage plebiscite policy.
On Thursday he will deliver a speech questioning a multi-billion-dollar submarine contract with French firm Naval Group, formerly known as DCNS, and urging a Plan B based on nuclear-powered subs.
Mr Turnbull, who hails from the moderate faction, sought on Wednesday to declare himself a champion of conservative issues.
