QUEENSLAND MPs are backing Malcolm Turnbull for the Liberal leadership in return for greater representation on the Opposition front bench.

Several high-profile MPs have thrown their support behind Mr Turnbull amid complaints the state was badly underrepresented on the ministry during the Howard years.

Yesterday the battle for the top job became a two-horse race between Mr Turnbull and Brendan Nelson after Tony Abbott withdrew, admitting he did not have the numbers.

Mr Turnbull is firm favourite to win today's ballot when the party room meets for the first time since Saturday's federal election defeat, although the vote for deputy is likely to be a more closely fought contest between Julie Bishop and Andrew Robb, with Christopher Pyne only an outside chance.

Mr Turnbull has received strong backing from at least three Queensland MPs -- including George Brandis, Peter Dutton and Steven Ciobo -- and there is general consensus the former lawyer and multi-millionaire investment banker is the frontrunner.

But Queensland MPs are demanding greater representation on the front bench.

Yesterday Sunshine Coast MP Alex Somlyay would not disclose his voting intentions but said Mr Turnbull and Ms Bishop had the numbers.

``I had a ring-around of my branch members,'' Mr Somlyay said. ``I had 36 polling booths and I spoke to each booth captain and asked them for their opinion -- and 33 said Turnbull.''

Senator Russell Trood said all the momentum was behind Mr Turnbull heading into the ballot. ``I certainly think Queensland is going to be an increasingly important part of the political centre of the nation and that Queenslanders deserve a fair share of the recognition within the new shadow ministry,'' Senator Trood said.

``Queensland has not been well served during the course of the Howard ministry.''

Townsville-based Senator Ian Macdonald said the outgoing prime minister had surrounded himself with too many Sydney people.

``Howard treated Queensland pretty poorly as far as the front bench was concerned,'' Senator Macdonald said.

``There were equally good people in Queensland as there were in Sydney.''

Mr Abbott said yesterday that he had canvassed his colleagues and came to realise he did not have the numbers to win the contest. But the outgoing health minister would not rule out contesting the leadership in the future.

``I think whoever wins tomorrow deserves loyalty and support from the party room, but we just don't know what the future holds,'' Mr Abbott said.

``Certainly I would be very surprised if, at some point in the future, I (wasn't) a candidate for the leadership.''

Source: The Courier Mail