Former prime minister John Howard has offered support for Brendan Nelson's leadership of the federal Liberal Party.
He made the comments at a meeting of the party's State Council in Sydney.
Several hundred council delegates voted unanimously for John and Jeanette Howard to become the state party's first lifetime members.
Mr Howard was cheered and given a standing ovation as he approached the stage where he spoke of how much he owed the Liberal Party.
He also spoke out in support of his successor, Dr Nelson.
"There is no harder job than being leader of an opposition, it's tough, it's unrelenting. You have my total goodwill, my total support," he said.
Mr Howard also called on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to acknowledge the former government's economic credentials.
"I would welcome an acknowledgement from him that in opposition he did his level best to stop our government delivering so many of those strong credentials," Mr Howard said.
Dr Nelson has accused Mr Rudd of doing further damage by talking down the strength of the economy.
Speaking outside the meeting, Dr Nelson distanced himself from comments by former Liberal leader John Hewson that former treasurer Peter Costello would not have the courage to challenge for the leadership.
The Liberal leader also repeated comments that Mr Costello would be promoted to the frontbench if he decided to stay in politics, but would not say which position he would be offered.
Dr Nelson says he remains confident that he still has the backing of his party.
The state council's main task today is to vote on a series of major changes to party rules aimed at ending conflict between factions.
NSW Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell says the changes will lead to a stronger party.
"We need a membership, we need a branch structure, we need a conference structure that demonstrates that the Liberal Party is connected to the community," he said.
"We need a structure that ensures that the talents and energies of all the members of the party that want to contribute are able to be heard."
