The Prime Minister's chief of staff appears to be keeping the option of a career in politics alive, saying she "has no intention of running for Parliament at this time".
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This follows speculation within the Liberal Party that Peta Credlin will leave her role in Tony Abbott's office to take a seat in the Senate or House of Representatives ahead of the 2016 election.
Amid tensions between Mr Abbott's office and government MPs, it has been suggested that Ms Credlin could either take stood aside Assistant Treasurer Arthur Sinodinos' NSW Senate seat or Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews' safe Melbourne seat of Menzies in the event either retired - although neither have said they will retire.
Mr Andrews has said he intends to run again in 2016.
Despite being credited as the driving force behind Mr Abbott's successful bid for the prime ministership in 2013, Ms Credlin has come under continued criticism during the Coalition's time in government.
Some, such as Queensland senator Ian Macdonald, have publicly complained Ms Credlin is too controlling. Privately, ministers have also argued against the level of control Ms Credlin exercises over the government.
In response to questions from Fairfax Media about any plans Ms Credlin has to enter Parliament next year, a spokeswoman for Mr Abbott replied, "Peta Credlin has no intention of running for Parliament at this time - state or federal, House or Senate".
"No intention...at this time" is often used in politics to allow for wriggle room if needed in the future.
Ahead of the May budget, when a $7 GP co-payment was proposed, Mr Abbott and senior ministers including Peter Dutton and Julie Bishop repeatedly said the government had no plans for the co-payment.
Mr Abbott has dismissed suggestions there are any problems with the way his office is run, recently telling Parliament that Ms Credlin was "the fiercest political warrior I've ever worked with".
