Outgoing Australian prime minister Tony Abbott has blamed a poll-driven febrile media culture, a "sour, bitter character assassination" and white-anting for his demise.
More than 12 hours after being toppled by Malcolm Turnbull, Mr Abbott has addressed the media with a short statement in the Prime Minister's official courtyard.
Tony Abbott speaks at a press conference today in Canberra. Photo: AAP
He did not take any questions.
"This is not an easy day for many people in this building," he told a large group of assembled reporters.
"Leadership changes are never easy for our country.
"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.
"This is a tough day, but when you join the game, you accept the rules.
Mr Turnbull's leadership challenge was preceded by a string of speculative reports about Mr Abbott's future.
"I am proud of what the Abbott Government has achieved. We stayed focused despite the white-anting," Mr Abbott said.
"The nature of politics has changed in the past decade.
"A febrile media culture has developed that rewards treachery."
Mr Abbott warned the poll-driven approach had produced a "revolving door Prime Ministership".
The outgoing leader of the Government did not directly address the question of his own future in politics.
The seating arrangement for the House of Representatives has been altered and he has been moved into a place on the backbench.
"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," Mr Abbott said.
"Refuse to connive at dishonour by acting as the assassin's knife."
"Being the Prime Minister is not an end in itself; it's about the people you serve."
Tony Abbott's prime ministership is the shortest since Harold Holt (excluding Kevin Rudd's second stint as PM). His net satisfaction rating dropped almost immediately after he became prime minister and any signs of recovery were short-lived.
- ABC
