Former prime minister Tony Abbott is preparing to embark on a national tour as the newly elected federal president of the Liberal Party, aiming to revitalise membership and support for the struggling party. The announcement comes after a Newspoll published over the weekend revealed the Coalition’s primary vote has fallen to 18%, down two points, with One Nation surging to 31% and Labor at 30%.
Abbott Acknowledges Polling Challenges
In a Tuesday email to supporters, Abbott acknowledged the dire polling numbers and the threat posed by One Nation. “Like you, I can read the polls,” he wrote. “While the majority of Australians now would like a change of government, there’s an unprecedented split on what’s the best alternative. And while many of you have noticed Angus Taylor’s determination to stop the toxic taxes, end mass migration, abolish Net Zero, and put Australia first, some are sceptical about the extent of the party’s change of heart or its willingness to do much about it in government.”
Tour Aims to Rebuild Trust
Abbott’s planned meetings across the country are intended to give members and supporters a chance to learn from each other and “recommit to giving our country the better government a great people deserve.” He urged recipients to bring along family and friends who might be supportive. The tour may alarm some within the party who fear Abbott could overshadow leader Angus Taylor, but Abbott indicated he is aware of that risk and will tread carefully.
“While it’s the parliamentary party’s job to set and to implement policy, and to provide strong political leadership, you can be confident that the new federal executive will support Angus and his team to continue to be bold and resolute,” Abbott wrote. “We certainly won’t win the next election as slaves to focus groups and being a little bit less ‘woke’ than Labor. As well, you can be confident about our collective determination to work constructively with others who also want a change of government.”
Co-operation with One Nation
Abbott’s comments reinforce his advocacy for the Liberals co-operating with One Nation on preferences, a view shared by Taylor. Abbott told the Australian Financial Review on Tuesday: “As a general rule, it makes sense for parties of the right to preference each other just as parties of the left have always done.” Taylor echoed this sentiment at a news conference, stating: “We will work … with whoever we can to get rid of this rotten Labor government. I want Australians’ first preferences, but I know to get them I have to rebuild trust with those hard working Australians who are angry, because they have been dudded.”
Western Australian Liberal Leader’s Pragmatic View
Taylor faced questions about comments from Western Australian Liberal leader Basil Zempilas, who in a Monday speech reflected the pragmatic attitude many Liberals are now taking toward One Nation. Zempilas said One Nation “are a rising political movement, and because of that, One Nation deserve respect.” He added: “If their support holds, inevitably it will be people in my position’s job to find a way to work with, or alongside, One Nation. That will be important. And it’s something that at this stage, almost three years away from our next state election, I have an open mind about.”
Membership Drive and Concerns
In his recent speech accepting the presidency, Abbott lamented the party’s small membership of about 50,000, arguing that compared to the Conservative Party in Canada, the Liberals should have at least 250,000 members. He conceded in his email that it “might take some time to persuade sceptical voters” that the Liberal party was their best hope.
Labor’s Response
Meanwhile, ALP national president Wayne Swan has used the spectre of One Nation to drum up donations. In an email to supporters a week ago, Swan wrote: “Powerful vested interests are already spending millions to make a Liberal-One Nation Government a reality. That’s why I’m asking for your support today. Every donation helps Labor invest early in the people, technology and campaigning needed to counter the hard right.” Swan argued that the Liberals could not form government without One Nation, and noted that Hanson had argued “workers should be easier to sack and questioned whether Australians deserve higher wages.” Labor is also running Facebook ads asking people “to donate to Labor’s campaign because One Nation is polling at record highs.”
