A stunned looking Tony Abbott left the Liberal party room last night after losing the leadership ballot Picture: Ray Strange.

“This is not an easy day for many people in this building. Leadership changes are never easy,” the outgoing Prime Minister said.

“My pledge today is to make this change as easy as I can. There’ll be no wrecking, no undermining and no sniping.

He said he had never leaked or backgrounded against anyone “and I certainly won’t start now.”

“Yes this is a tough game, but when you join the game, you accept the rules.”

“I’ve held true to what I’ve believed and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved over the past two years. 300,000 more people are in jobs. Labor’s bad taxes are gone.

Mr Abbott said the Government had signed free trade agreements with Japan, Korea and China and the biggest infrastructure program in the country’s history was under way.

“A spotlight is being shone into the dark and corrupt corners of the union movement and Labor’s party union business model. We’ve responded to the threats of terror and we’ve deployed to the other side of the world to bring our loved ones home.

“The boats have stopped and with the boats stopped, we’ve been better able to display our compassion to refugees.”

Despite “hysterical and unprincipled opposition”, Mr Abbott said his government had made $50 billion in repairs to the budget.

But he said other things had been left undone, including constitutional recognition of indigenous people, addressing the challenge of ice and domestic violence, as well as Australia's role in the Middle East and security of the South China Sea and elsewhere.

“I am proud of what the Abbott Government has achieved. We stayed focused despite the white-anting,” Mr Abbott said.

However, he acknowledged that the government had not been perfect.

“We have been a government of men and women, not a government of Gods walking upon the earth. Few of us, after all, entirely measure up to expectations.”

Tony Abbott pledges to make the transition to a new Prime Minister as easy as possible. Picture: Kym SmithSource:News Corp Australia

Mr Abbott said a febrile media culture had developed which rewarded treachery. He urged media to refuse to publish self-serving claims that a person would not put their name to.

“The nature of politics has changed in the past decade. We have more polls and more commentary than ever before. Mostly sour, bitter, character assassinations,” he said.

“I’m proud of what the Abbott government has achieved. We’ve stayed focused, despite the white anting.”

He said poll driven panic had produced a revolving door prime ministership, “which can’t be good for our country”.

Mr Abbott thanked his wife Margie for her dignity, as well as his family, the Liberal party, the armed forces and his staff.

“Especially my chief of staff (Peta Credlin) who has been unfairly maligned by people that should have known better,” he said.

“Finally I thank my country for the privilege of service

“As this is my final statement as Prime Minister I say, I have rendered all and I am proud of my service,” he said.

“My love for this country is as strong as ever and may God bless this great commonwealth.”

Tony Abbott addresses the media following the Liberal party spill.Source:News Corp Australia

Earlier today Mr Abbott left many wondering why he had taken so long to respond, with his speech taking place more than 15 hours after Malcolm Turnbull was successful in challenging him for leadership of the Liberal party.

Mr Abbott is believed to have arrived at Parliament House about 11am but did not attend a Liberal party room meeting. After hours of silence, a statement was released that he would make a speech at 12.30pm.

Former prime minister John Howard, who was a mentor to Mr Abbott, is expected to make a statement in Sydney at 1.30pm.

Mr Abbott needs to tender his resignation to the Governor-general before Mr Turnbull can be sworn in as Prime Minister, ahead of Question Time at 2pm.

As of this morning it is understood that Mr Abbott had not spoken to his successor Mr Turnbull and that the mood in his office was sombre as staff packed up their desks.

A senior Liberal told NewsCorp that Mr Turnbull gave a “nervous speech” to the party room this morning, about procedural parliamentary issues and legislation.

“I think he might have taken on a bit more than he can handle,” the MP said. “He sounded very nervous”.

Mr Turnbull left the meeting early to see National leader Warren Truss. The National party has convened a partyroom meeting to sign off on a new Coalition agreement.

A new parliamentary seating plan shows Joe Hockey will remain on Malcolm Turnbull’s front bench for question time but Mr Abbott will be seated on the backbench next to Andrew Laming, who called on him to quit in February.

Outgoing PM Tony Abbott was said to be angered although “stoic” about his loss, according to one minister.

When asked how Mr Abbott had taken the news, the normally composed Foreign Minister and deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop struggled to contain her emotions.

“He was calm, he was obviously very hurt. I feel for Tony, I feel for (his wife) Margie and his daughters, and I know what stresses and strains the leadership were under.

“I think there were tears shed,” she said, her voice breaking.

“I’m not enjoying this.

“It’s not easy being the deputy of the party.”

One supporter posted an image on his Facebook page of a message he received at 4.30am from Mr Abbott.

“What kind of a man is Tony Abbott?” Liberal supporter Alan RM Jones posted.

“At 4.30 this morning after the worst possible day in his political life, he is up thanking friends and supporters. He’s a good man. His party and country are lucky to have him.”

A photo of a text message sent by Tony Abbott to thank a Liberal supporter is all we’ve heard from him.Source:Facebook

Sent at 4.36am, the message simply reads: “Thanks mate”.

Mr Abbott’s lack of response has left some on social media puzzled, with many posting using the hashtag #whereistony and #wherestony

Earlier this morning NSW Liberal Premier Mike Baird also expressed his sympathy for Tony Abbott, saying “he will be hurting”.

“Politics can be brutal,” he wrote on his Facebook page.

“What can be lost in the rough and tumble is the people, and the relationships.

“I’ve known Tony Abbott for close to 15 years and I am proud to call him a mate. He will be hurting. So will his wonderful wife Margie and his girls. As their friend, I hurt with them.

“Many of those throwing stones don’t see the heart behind the man who has spent decades volunteering at the local surf club or working a shift with the Rural Fire Service … not for political gain, but for the simple reason that he loves his community.”

MORE TO COME.