The Farrer MP carefully avoided the term “co-payment”, but nevertheless confirmed a “sensible, moderate contribution” from patients visiting GPs was still government policy, following confusion yesterday over the Prime Minister’s rumoured party room promises.

Ms Ley would not comment on the morning’s meeting, where Mr Abbott survived a leadership motion 61-39, except to say there was “strong and broad support for the Prime Minister”.

“I don’t talk about what happens inside the party room but I really feel the mood of members leaving the meeting was positive, forward-looking, enthusiastic, with an overwhelming desire to get back to work,” she said.

The GP co-payment — considered one of the government’s most unpopular policies — was brought into question when West Australian MP Luke Simpkins said Mr Abbott promised to dump it. Mr Simpkins quickly retracted that, saying he misspoke, and Mr Abbott promised to consult more.

Asked if the GP co-payment was off the table, Ms Ley was careful with her words.

“I don’t want to rule things on or off the table ... but we remain committed to a value signal in health where there is a patient contribution that relates to the patient’s ability to pay,” she said.

Ms Ley, who has spent the past several weeks consulting with doctors and patients, said she would continue that consultation “on all aspects of Medicare policy until we reach the end”.

“We won’t be in a position to announce a new policy until then,” she said.

Ms Ley said she would be hosting a “surgery” in her office each parliamentary sitting fortnight where any backbenchers or other MPs could call in with their concerns.

Mr Abbott promised to be more consultative with backbenchers in the future, a vow Ms Ley said needed to be followed through by everyone.

“I do take as very strong the need to communicate closely with the backbench and value their ideas and their input,” she said.

Asked if she believed Mr Abbott could come back from his self-proclaimed “near-death” experience, Ms Ley said: “I believe he can”.

“I’ve known Tony Abbott since 2001 and yes, he meant every word he said — he is a genuine, honest, decent individual when he said those things to the backbenchers and the people.”

Many Cabinet members, Ms Ley included, shied away from the spotlight ahead of the vote save for pledging to vote against the spill; others such as Treasurer Joe Hockey and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann were clear cut in their support.

Tradition dictates the ministry and party whips vote with the party leader, though there’s no way of ensuring this with a secret ballot.