Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has praised Tony Abbott's "generous and gallant" behaviour since losing the prime ministership, while telling colleagues he would seek advice mostly from ministers rather than his staff.
Mr Turnbull was speaking at the first joint meeting of Liberal and National MPs and senators since he announced his frontbench reshuffle last month.
Mr Abbott, who is now a backbench MP, attended the meeting but did not speak.
Mr Turnbull said that Mr Abbott showed "great dignity and loyalty" by urging Liberal Party supporters to stick by the party following the leadership change.
He went on to tell Mr Abbott his behaviour had been "generous and gallant".
In his first broadcast interview since being deposed as leader, Mr Abbott urged disgruntled Liberals to vote for Malcolm Turnbull at the next election even if through "gritted teeth".
"You have shown both character and class," Mr Turnbull told Mr Abbott in front of his colleagues. "You have always said politics is a test of character. That is a test you have never failed."
Mr Turnbull addressed staffing matters during the meeting, telling MPs that the primary role of his office would be to "support and liaise with ministers and to get the most out of the Australian public service".
"My chief advisers will be my ministers," he said.
Mr Abbott was criticised by many MPs for relying excessively on advice from his chief of staff, Peta Credlin. His office was also accused of leaking stories to the media before they were scheduled to be officially announced or before they had gone to cabinet.
Mr Turnbull told colleagues the government's message would be firmly focussed on boosting economic growth and creating new jobs.
"We're off to a good start but the expectations upon us are massive," he said.
Later, former prime minister John Howard used an event in Canberra to endorse Mr Turnbull's elevation as Liberal leader.
"We need optimism about our future in this country. The Prime Minister has struck entirely the right note when he said we are living in exciting times," Mr Howard said.
