Nothing to see here, says Seselja

A lunch meeting of conservative Liberal MPs is a long-standing event and not a conspiracy, says a Liberal senator.

Conservative Liberal MPs aren't plotting against Malcolm Turnbull - they're getting on with government.

That's the view of Liberal senator Zed Seselja who is one of several conservative members, including Tony Abbott, who attend a regular lunch at Parliament House.

The lunch, organised by Immigration Minister Peter Dutton, is held in a ministerial wing meeting room known as the "monkey pod" - named after the type of timber used for the table.

At this week's Chinese takeaway lunch, Mr Abbott turned up with a chocolate cake reportedly baked by his former chief of staff Peta Credlin.

Mr Abbott stays with Ms Credlin and her husband Brian Loughnane in Canberra during sitting weeks.

Senator Seselja told Sky News on Wednesday the lunch was completely innocent.

"I'm not seeing that," he said, when asked whether the group remained disgruntled over September's Liberal leadership change.

"The people are very committed with getting on with the job of government."

He understood the lunch had been a feature of parliamentary sitting weeks for more than a decade.

"Lunches go on right around parliament and colleagues get together," he said.

As for the Credlin cake: "It was delicious."

Mr Abbott did not comment as he left a function where he was honoured by the Ukrainian community in Melbourne on Wednesday.


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Source: AAP



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