NO ONE can take any real pleasure from what occurred in Canberra last night. Since Bill Shorten and Julia Gillard brought down Kevin Rudd in   June 2010 - beginning with a shock, late-night coup - we have had more than five years of leadership instability at the top of national politics. 
Three prime ministers in a row have been sacked by their colleagues before a vote can be held at an election.
It is the kind of political merry-go-round we have laughed at when it's happened in countries like Italy. Now it's almost a new normal in Australia - one we should make sure does not persist.
Malcolm Turnbull is Australia's Prime Minister today - a job he has coveted long before he entered Parliament.
Mr Turnbull launched his bid for the job by criticising the outgoing PM, saying he couldn't explain reform, didn't follow Cabinet processes and made too many "captain's picks".
These are valid objections to Tony Abbott's style and mode of operation and Mr Turnbull will need to do better on all fronts. However, his first duty is to reconnect with the Australian public, who have been left behind by the stalled national debate.
Australia needs an economic break now. We need confidence in the business community.
Mr Turnbull has been a successful businessman but he didn't measure up when he was Liberal leader six years ago.
As we wish Mr Turnbull well, we also thank Mr Abbott for ridding our country of the expensive dysfunction and chaos of the Labor years.
Mr Turnbull might call "stopping the boats, axing the taxes, repairing the budget" slogans, but for most Australians these were things that mattered. Mr Abbott will be remembered for his fierce attack on Labor and his stunning electoral victory two years ago.We wish him well.