Tony Abbott believes Australia has turned over too many political leaders over the past decade, leaving the public craving for more stability.
The former prime minister said he was sorry to see NSW premier and long-time friend Mike Baird retire after doing an "outstanding job" for the state.
"I'm looking forward to many years of friendship with him but I am going to miss having him as a colleague," Mr Abbott told the ABC on Thursday following a charity bike ride in South Australia.
Asked whether he believed Mr Baird's shock departure from politics would have federal implications, Mr Abbott said the constant turnover of leaders - both federally and at state-level - in the last 10 years had "bedevilled our polity".
"We've seen too many prime ministers, we've seen too many premiers, and I think the public yearn for stability," he said.
"I think the public yearn for certainty and I hope that one way or another in the years ahead we can see more order and stability in our system."
Mr Abbott was ousted by Malcolm Turnbull as Liberal leader in September 2015 - marking the sixth prime ministerial change since 2007.
When Mr Baird's replacement is named next week, NSW will also have had six leaders since 2005.
Some pundits had tipped a return to cabinet for Mr Abbott this week after Sussan Ley resigned as the minister for health and sport.
Instead, Greg Hunt was promoted to the portfolio.
"It's the prime minister's choice and, look, obviously he can explain his choices," Mr Abbott said.
"When I was leading the country the cabinet was my choice, it was no-one else's choice."
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