---

@debra9275 wrote:

awful photo that- taken the day after  Rudd was dumped in 2010, but at least he had the courage to turn up I suppose

 

 

where's Tony??

---

i guess you were too busy counting

the flags during his press conference.

Tony Abbott intends to stay in Federal Parliament, most likely on the backbench, after losing the prime ministership to his longtime rival Malcolm Turnbull.

The ABC understands the former leader does not want to trigger a by-election in his safe Sydney seat of Warringah.

Mr Abbott has not been seen in the House of Representatives since losing the leadership on Monday night.

Instead, he has been busy taking calls from foreign leaders including United States president Barack Obama, New Zealand prime minister John Key and the United Kingdom's David Cameron.

"My intention is to remain in the Parliament," Mr Abbott said.

"It's been a tumultuous week and I now intend to spend some time with my family to think about the future."

The former prime minister has been finalising his affairs and preparing to leave his office tomorrow after being dumped in the Liberal Party ballot on Monday.

Last night, Mr Abbott told The Australian: “It’s been a tumultuous week and I now intend to spend some time with my family to think about the future, but my intention is to remain in the parliament.”

It is unlikely he will come into the chamber until the middle of next month when parliament resumes after a three-week break and the Canning by-election.

Mr Abbott has been finalising his office work and taking calls from global leaders.