EXP: Tony Abbott's parting words as PM

TONY ABBOTT'S FINAL STATEMENT AS PRIME MINISTER

* Pledges to make the leadership change as easy as he can.

* There will be no wrecking, no undermining, no sniping and he won't start backgrounding.

* Proud of 300,000 new jobs, trade deals with Japan, Korea and China, and shining the light on union corruption.

* Says his government responded to terror threats abroad and stopped the boats.

* Disappointed he won't get to achieve constitutional recognition of indigenous Australians or address the issues of ice and domestic violence.

* Hopes he won't be the last prime minister to spend a week in a remote indigenous community.

* Says his government stayed focused despite the white-anting.

* Points to the fact there are more polls and more commentary of politics than ever before.

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Claims a febrile media culture has developed which rewards treachery.

* Urges the media not to print self-serving claims by MPs who won't put their name to reports.

* Thanks his family, his party and the armed forces who are serving Australia.

* Singles out his chief of staff Peter Credlin, who he says has been unfairly maligned.

* Acknowledges it's humbling to lose but it doesn't compare to the honour of being asked to lead.