Sinodinos won't rule out Abbott return

NSW Liberal Senator Arthur Sinodinos, a key backer of Malcolm Turnbull, has refused to rule out former prime minister Tony Abbott taking back his job.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott during Question Time in the House of Representatives in Canberra. Source: AAP

Cabinet secretary and key Malcolm Turnbull confidant Arthur Sinodinos has refused to rule out former prime minister Tony Abbott returning to the top job.

Senator Sinodinos said he wouldn't put money on Mr Abbott becoming prime minister again, but told the ABC's Q&A program he had learnt through "bitter experience" not to rule anything in or out.

"I'm always careful in these things because in life I've learnt in politics it's the thing you least expect that can come back," Senator Sinodinos said on Monday night.