Tony Abbott trumpets conservative manifesto: 'We need to make Australia work again'

Former prime minister warns his successor he has no intention of fading out of public life and will continue to stand for conservative values

Tony Abbott has warned his successor he does not intend to quit public life, declaring Australia needs "strong liberal conservative voices now, more than ever".

The former prime minister used a speech to the Institute of Public Affairs on Tuesday to dust off a conservative manifesto for government he first flagged in February, telling his audience: "I will do my best to be a standard bearer for the values and the policies that have made us strong."