Elections 2016: EX PM Tony Abbott and Bronwyn Bishop may stand again

Two northern beaches Federal MPs who suffered major political setbacks last year, may stand again, according to party sources.

Tony Abbott leaving after Question Time in the House of Representatives Chamber, Parliament House in Canberra.

Two northern beaches Federal MPs look set to re­contest their seats, despite suffering major political setbacks last year.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott, who was ­ousted from the top job by Malcolm Turnbull, is expected to contest his Warringah seat with hopes of reclaiming the top job, it has been reported.

He is said to have ambitions he can mount a comeback like former Liberal prime ministers John Howard and Robert Menzies, Liberal sources have told the Daily Telegraph.

But a spokesman for Mr Abbott said such ­reports were “fanciful” and that he was “still ­weighing up his future” and would ­announce his intentions ­before February 19, the cut-off date for nominations.

Bronwyn Bishop and fellow MPs arrive for their first Party meeting following the change of Liberal leadership. Picture: Ray Strange.

Businesswoman and Balgowlah mother Marie Rowland has already confirmed she will contest the Warringah seat. The 47-year-old psychotherapist is a preselected candidate running in independent Senator Nick Xenophon’s team.

Meanwhile, embattled Mackellar MP Bronwyn Bishop, 73, will also contest a preselection battle with the aim of representing the Liberals at the next election, despite calls for her to retire following a scandal over chartering a helicopter at the expense of taxpayers.

She was forced to resign as Speaker of the House over the controversy.

Tony Abbott leaving after Question Time in the House of Representatives Chamber, Parliament House in Canberra.

She has also been criticised for not backing her northern beaches colleague Mr Abbott in his contest with Mr Turnbull for the prime ministership, despite Mr Abbott having staunchly backed her when she was under fire as Speaker.

Former Liberal Party leader John Hewson and former Victorian Liberal premier Jeff Kennett both said Mrs Bishop had discredited herself over the helicopter scandal and should resign ahead of the election.

Two known contenders are former Warringah councillor Jason Falinski, ­former police inspector Dave Walton and teacher Vicky McGahey.

Other names that have been touted are former Pittwater state MPs Jim Longley and John Brogden, and NSW Upper House MP Natasha Maclaren-Jones, whose husband Damien Jones was Mrs Bishop’s chief of staff.