Tony Abbott believes former prime ministers like himself can play an important role in federal parliament because of their vast experience and "big megaphones".
Mr Abbott's position as a backbench MP has come under scrutiny after Liberal Party rival and former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull described him as "miserable ghost" on a leaked recording last week.
Mr Turnbull also suggested Mr Abbott, along with Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd, had stayed in parliament after they were rolled from the leadership because they were driven by hate.
But the Warringah MP seems unfazed by Mr Turnbull's comments about him.
He says that former prime ministers should not expect to be shown respect or dignity from the public just because of their status.
"What people do is up to them and everyone in this highly competitive world has to earn respect, not demand it, and I hope that I will earn respect in my post-prime ministerial work," he told AAP, after making a speech at the Oxford Union on Friday night.
Mr Abbott said that former prime ministers can play a valuable role by remaining in parliament because they have special qualities and skills that other MPs do not possess.
He said those qualities include their vast political experience and their ability to get a message out and be heard.
"A former prime minister, almost by definition, has much more experience than most MPs and a vastly bigger megaphone than most MPs," he said.
"And while experience isn't the only thing, it sure is important, and while a megaphone isn't the most important thing either, it sure helps when you've got something important to say."
