I, too, had enormous respect for Tony Abbott, who, in two years, achieved a great deal.

He is a good man although there were many Liberals who did not share my opinion.

However, we need to remind people that we do not have a presidential system of government.

We have a Westminster system of cabinet government headed by a Prime Minister.

The first job of the Prime Minister is to listen to the diverse views of his cabinet ministers, who do consult with backbenchers along the way, and lead the collective to a majority decision.

I believe this is much more democratic than a party beholden to the sectional interests of rogue unions, as appears to be the case with the Labor Opposition.

So, sad as it may be to see a good man go, we must focus on the good of the overall outcome for our nation.

It seems to me that the Coalition has the right values - the values of free enterprise, of individual initiative, of freedom.

These are the values that have, and will, position our nation most favourably for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

We are fortunate, indeed, that our federal MP, Peter Hendy, reports directly to the Prime Minister.

After just two years in Parliament his achievement can only be of benefit to his constituents, and is certainly to be congratulated, as is the inclusion of many more women in the Turnbull Cabinet.

Caryl Haslem

Catalina