Gladys Berejiklian has been touted by a senior colleague as a future prime minister, following her resignation as NSW premier because of a corruption probe.
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And Prime Minister Scott Morrison thinks Ms Berejiklian has a lot more to contribute to Australian politics, as she prepares to formally step down on Tuesday.
"We have a proper selection process in our party and there are many different ways that she could (contribute). They don't necessarily need to be in the parliament," he told Seven Network.
"I respect, you know, Gladys taking the time in what has been a very difficult, very difficult period for her.
"She has tremendous support both in the Liberal Party and, I think, right across NSW."
Ms Berejiklian, who is leaving her seat of Willoughby, has been touted as a possible federal candidate for Tony Abbott's old seat of Warringah, held by Independent MP Zali Steggall.
Outgoing NSW Transport Minister and state MP for Bega Andrew Constance thinks Ms Berejiklian would be "unreal" in federal politics.
"If Glad can get cleared up, whatever these issues are, you know, through the public hearing process, I think she'd be unreal," Mr Constance told ABC radio on Tuesday.
"You couldn't have a more hard-working, deeply principled, you know, Australian female politician than Gladys Berejiklian.
"Do I think she's got the capacity to be prime minister of Australia? You bet."
Ms Berejiklian quit on Friday after the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption disclosed she was under investigation for potential breaches of public trust during her secret five-year relationship with former state Liberal MP Daryl Maguire.
Mr Constance is leaving NSW politics later this year to run for the federal seat of Gilmore at the next election.
Australian Associated Press
