Dumped Opposition leader Brenda Nelson has singled out former colleague Tony Abbott as being partly responsible for his downfall.
Dr Nelson is refusing to rule out a future comeback, but insists Malcolm Turnbull is doing well in the polls.
And he's told the ABC, Mr Abbott's comments this year about a Peter Costello comeback destabilised his leadership.
“Well certainly Tony made those sort of comments and they weren’t particularly helpful.”
Dr Nelson also admitted leadership of the Liberal Party after its 2007 defeat was a poisoned chalice.
Dr Nelson was defeated by three votes earlier this month by Malcolm Turnbull, after calling for a leadership spill to end speculation about his position.
He's told the ABC he believed he could lead the party to the next election.