Describing him as a “guru” of border policies, the retired Riverina politician said Mr Abbott needs to be offered a cabinet position. 

It comes after a dramatic shake-up of Australia's police, security and intelligence agencies saw Immigration Minister Peter Dutton placed in charge of a bursting Home Affairs portfolio. 

“They’re going to need seven ministers to be responsible for this portfolio in total,” Mr Schipp said. 

“Abbott has shown maturity in that area and he needs to be offered something – suiting his style and performance – to stop the infighting.

“He’s entitled to defend his legacy and make commentary on the current leadership.”

The leadership instability undermining the Liberal party has prompted a plot by the Nationals to snatch state seats held by their senior ­coalition partners.

Under the Coalition agreement, Nationals are able to contest seats held by Labor or retiring Liberal MPs. 

Former NSW Nationals deputy director Greg Dezman believes both Wagga and Albury’s Liberal MPs may be considering retirement in two years time.

“I will work with the electorate council in each of these seats to prepare strategic plans detailing what needs to happen … to put us in the best possible position to contest (and ultimately win) these seats,” Mr Dezman wrote in campaign material.

Wagga MP Daryl Maguire, now in his fifth term, casted doubt on claims he will retire.

“I haven’t even thought about it,” he said.