Malcolm Turnbull could lead the government to victory at the next election, former prime minister John Howard believes.
But for that to happen party members must put aside their disunity and work together, he says.
Mr Howard suggested divisions within the government stems in part from the 2015 change of leadership when Mr Turnbull rolled Tony Abbott after 30 consecutive Newspolls, a milestone Mr Turnbull is anticipated to reach this weekend.
"I think when you go through the process of changing leaders, it creates a problem," he told ABC's 7.30 on Thursday.
He said he sees no evidence now from within the party that people want another change in leader this time around.
"I don't find any evidence in the party of people wanting a change of leader," Mr Howard said.
And while he admits there's still an electoral challenge, Mr Howard doesn't see the next election as unwinnable if Liberal MPs understand their collective responsibility to work in a united fashion.
"They have got to work together in, I think, a far more purposeful way than has been evident in the last few months," he said. "It is not impossible."
Mr Howard, who led the Liberal Party for 12 consecutive years until 2007, told Liberals to "bury their differences".
"My exhortation to all Liberals is just remember you're carrying the hopes and aspirations of millions of supporters around the country and they want you to work together, they want you to bury your differences," he said.
It comes as Mr Dutton pledged his loyalty to Mr Turnbull, despite admitting the Coalition government is on track for defeat at the next election.
Abbott stays silent ahead of Newspoll
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott brushed off questions about Malcolm Turnbull's leadership as he went for a surf in Sydney this morning.
"I'm just not going to comment, sorry."
Asked if he was looking forward to Monday's Newspoll, he said: "I'm looking forward to getting on the pollie pedal bike ride which starts on Sunday."
Tony Abbott was not keen to talk about Malcolm Turnbull after his morning surf. Source: SBS News
