WHEN FORMER PRIME MINISTERS STICK AROUND.
* Malcolm Turnbull says he will quit parliament if his partyroom no longer wants him as leader.
* "I've made it very clear that I believe that former prime ministers are best out of the parliament. I don't think there's much evidence to suggest that that conclusion is not correct."
* Tony Abbott stuck around on the backbench after being ousted by Turnbull in 2015, pledging "no wrecking, no undermining and no sniping". However he has been a harsh critic of the Turnbull government, making frequent appearances on radio and TV, writing newspaper columns and giving speeches at home and abroad.
* Julia Gillard quit her seat after being ousted by Kevin Rudd in 2013. She kept relatively quiet until penning a memoir. She continues her work as a global ambassador for education.
* Kevin Rudd lost the leadership in 2010, then proceeded to undermine and leak against the ALP's election campaign which ended in a hung parliament. A staged photo opportunity during the campaign did nothing to mend the rift. Rudd attempted to seize back the leadership in 2012 but was defeated 71-31. Having declared that under "no circumstances" would he return, he launched another attempt in 2013 which he won 57-45. He's been vocal on global security issues and occasionally bought into domestic politics.
