Tony Abbott Has Given His Final Speech As Prime Minister Of Australia

    In his final speech, the outgoing prime minister said there will be "no wrecking, no undermining, and no sniping", but warned media not to act as the assassin's knife.

    Alex Lee
    by Alex Lee

    BuzzFeed News Reporter, Australia

    Tony Abbott has made his final statement as the 28th prime minister of Australia.

    ABC News 24

    In his speech, Abbott pledged to make a smooth transition to the new leader, and said he was proud of his government's achievements.

    Not once did he mention or congratulate his successor Malcolm Turnbull or deputy Julie Bishop.

    Here's what he had to say.

    My pledge today is to make this change as easy as I can. There will be no wrecking, no undermining, and no sniping. I've never leaked or backgrounded against anyone. And I certainly won't start now. Our country deserves better than that. I want our government and our country to succeed. I always have and I always will.
    Stefan Postles / Getty Images
    Of course, there's much that I had still wanted to do. Constitutional recognition of Indigenous people. Getting the kids to school, the adults to work and communities safe. I was the first Prime Minister to spend a week a year in remote Indigenous Australia. And I hope I'm not the last. Then there's the challenge of ice and domestic violence, yet to be addressed. Australia has a role to play in the struggles of the wider world. The cauldron of the Middle East. And security in the South China Sea and elsewhere.
    We have more polls and more commentary than ever before. Mostly sour, bitter, character assassination. Poll-driven panic has produced a revolving door Prime Ministership which can't be good for our country. And a febrile media culture has developed that rewards treachery. And if there's one piece of advice I can give to the media, it's this: refuse to print self-serving claims that the person making them won't put his or her name to. Refuse to connive and dishonour by acting as the assassin's knife.
    Sam Mooy / AAPIMAGE
    I thank my staff, who have been absolutely unceasing in their devotion to our party and our country, especially my chief of staff, who has been unfairly maligned by people who should've known better. Finally, I thank my country for the privilege of service. It is humbling to lose, but that does not compare to the honour of being asked to lead. In my maiden speech here in this Parliament, I quoted from the first Christian service ever preached here in Australia. The reverend Richard Johnson took as his text, 'what shall I render unto the Lord for all his blessings to me?' At this, my final statement as prime minister, I say: I have rendered all and I am proud of my service. My love for this country is as strong as ever, and may God bless this great Commonwealth. Thank you.