Senior Liberals are prepared to accept Tony Abbott at his word when he says he won't return as party leader.
The former prime minister has declared the Abbott era over, even though he wants to keep flying the flag for conservative Liberal values.
Malcolm Turnbull, who replaced Mr Abbott as prime minister eight months ago, believes his predecessor will stand by his word.
Cabinet ministers Josh Frydenberg and Peter Dutton, Abbott allies at the time of his toppling, have a similar view.
"I do believe him," Mr Frydenberg told ABC radio on Friday.
Mr Abbott told Sky News commentator Andrew Bolt on Thursday night he accepted the party room decision to replace him.
"I don't expect the party to ever go back on that decision."
Mr Abbott argued poll-driven panic had created a revolving door of party leaders in Australia.
"We've had five prime ministers in five years. We sure don't need six."
Mr Frydenberg agreed, saying the Liberal Party did not want to repeat the dysfunction of Labor's Rudd-Gillard years.
"I'm sure he'll continue to interact in a positive and constructive way with his colleagues," he said.
Mr Dutton agreed the former prime minister would not return to the top job.
He told reporters in Sydney he was also confident Mr Abbott would not engage in sniping at Mr Turnbull during the election campaign.
For his part, Mr Turnbull revealed he'd had a "good chat the other day" with Mr Abbott.
He would not reveal details of the private conversation on radio 3AW other than to say the pair discussed "life, politics, everything".
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