Tony Abbott insists he is “absolutely not” relaunching his political career with his new role as the Liberal Party’s federal president.

Liberal frontbenchers have lined up to publicly say the former prime minister’s position is an administrative role supporting Opposition Leader Angus Taylor, making their expectations clear that he’ll stay out of the policy fray.

Mr Abbott was elected unopposed to the role on Friday and vowed to revive the party’s fortunes as it faces dire polling and the rise of One Nation.

In a slew of interviews on Monday morning, the 68-year-old said his presence would demonstrate to people that the Liberals were serious about abolishing climate action, cutting “mass migration” and scrapping taxes.

“My government was actually very good at that, and my presence, I think, is an indicator that the Liberal Party hasn’t forgotten how to be a very, very good government,” he said.

The party’s headquarters sent a note to supporters on Monday morning in Mr Abbott’s name that vowed it was determined to do better in the future.

It sharpened up the messages from Mr Taylor’s budget reply speech.

“At times, our party too has dabbled in the politics of climate and identity which has got us into this mess. Thank you for sticking with us, despite everything,” the message from Mr Abbott said.

“Henceforth, as Liberals, we will stand proudly under our one national flag, will change the law to stop safe spaces being invaded by men who say they are women, and will work constructively with everyone who wants to be rid of the worst government in living memory.”

However, in an interview, Mr Abbott insisted he didn’t expect to be “in the media every day”, amid some concerns he might overshadow Mr Taylor.

The new gig was “absolutely not” a relaunch of his political career, which was cut short when community independent Zali Steggall won his seat of Warringah.

“My job as the incoming Liberal Party president will be to try to ensure that the organisation is in place — the members, the candidates, the funding — to make Angus Taylor the prime minister,” he said.

“The party president is the organisational leader, not the political leader, but I don’t think there’s ever been a party president who’s taken a vow of silence, and I’m certainly not going to start.

“Look, it’s not my job to run a commentary on any other party. It’s my job to prosecute, help to prosecute the case against a bad government, and to try to energise and enthuse people to support the Liberal Party, and more broadly, the Liberal-National Coalition.”

Shadow treasurer Tim Wilson, the only Liberal to win a seat back from a teal independent at the last election, made it clear he believed it was the parliamentary party’s job to build a case to voters.

Asked if Mr Abbott was the answer right now, he replied: “Well, actually, Angus Taylor is the answer right now because he is the parliamentary leader of the Liberal Party.”

WA’s Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas said Mr Abbott would be a “great support for Angus Taylor” given his experience as a campaigner and former prime minister.

“In Tony Abbott, they have someone who’s been there, he was the last successful opposition leader to claim government, he knows this space, he knows what it takes to win,” he told reporters in Perth.

But Labor figures could barely hide their glee at what they see as a huge misstep driven by desperation in the Liberal Party.

“He might have been a devastatingly effective negative campaigner . . . but when he was elected prime minister, he failed,” frontbencher Julian Hill said.