Tony Abbott’s Political Comeback: Leading the Liberal Party

In a notable development, Tony Abbott, the 28th Prime Minister of Australia, is poised to take on the role of federal president of the Liberal Party, returning to the forefront of politics. This move comes seven years after his loss in the 2019 election, where he was defeated in his Sydney seat of Warringah.

Abbott's nomination for the presidency was unopposed, as the other potential candidate, former Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, opted to run for a vice-president position instead. The official confirmation of Abbott's election will take place at the Liberal Party's federal council meeting in Melbourne next weekend, where he will succeed John Olsen, the former South Australian premier.

Abbott's influence within the conservative wing of the Liberal Party is undeniable, and his nomination was put forward by Charlie Taylor, the brother of opposition leader Angus Taylor. Abbott's return to active political life has sparked discussions about his potential impact on the party's direction.

The federal presidency is an unpaid position that oversees the administrative and campaigning aspects of the party, operating independently from the parliamentary wing and often away from the media's gaze. However, moderate Liberals have expressed concerns that Abbott might use this role to exert de-facto leadership, pushing the party further right on issues like immigration and potentially causing distractions for the parliamentary team.

When questioned about his aspirations at the Sydney Writers' Festival, Abbott emphasized his commitment to supporting Angus Taylor's path to becoming the 32nd Prime Minister of Australia. He believes that serving as party president is the best way to contribute to this goal.

Abbott's dedication to the Liberal Party was evident as he expressed his sense of duty to serve the party that had been instrumental in his public life. He stated, 'I believe it is my duty to serve the Liberal party to the best of my ability… if the Liberal party calls, and it seems that what they’re calling for is for someone such as me to be the president.'

Meanwhile, the Victorian Liberal Party is also undergoing leadership changes. The party president, Philip Davis, is expected to step down, with Brian Loughnane, a former federal director, as the sole candidate to replace him. Loughnane, an experienced political operator, is married to Abbott's former chief of staff, Peta Credlin.

The Victorian Liberal Party has recently faced internal challenges, including a controversial preselection saga and legal disputes. Loughnane's nomination is seen as a potential unifying force, given his track record of overseeing the federal party's landslide victories in 2004 and 2013.