Former prime minister Tony Abbott elected unopposed as Liberal Party president


May 29 2026
ABC News
Tony Abbott says his priority is to rebuild the party.   

In short:
Former prime minister Tony Abbott has been elected the Liberal Party president.   

Mr Abbott says he will help Opposition Leader Angus Taylor win the next election and focus on attracting new members to the party.

What's next?
Mr Taylor is set to take stage on day two of the annual convention.


Former prime minister Tony Abbott says he is ready to serve the Liberal Party in its time of "existential crisis" upon his return to the political stage.

Mr Abbott was elected the Liberal Party president on Friday unopposed, surrounded by members, politicians and party delegates from across the country.

In a 10-minute speech at the two-day annual national convention, he said the country was in a state of "spiritual malaise" that only a Liberal opposition could address.

"Our challenge is to persuade a sceptical public that we remain the most credible alternative government for this country,"  Mr Abbott said.
"We remain the best hope for better government in this country, the better government we so desperately need right now."

He praised Opposition Leader Angus Taylor for demonstrating leadership on budget reply night with an agenda that included "ending mass migration".

Taylor's migration plan faces practical questions

The Coalition's new migration policy aims to increase screening of visa applicants and "boot out" people who do not abide by Australia's values.

Mr Abbott also publicly acknowledged that the party was struggling to attract members, stating, "we are lucky to have 50,000 members around the country".

He said this was his priority as the party tried to rebuild and give Mr Taylor a chance to win the next election.

The Liberal Party has grappled with how to restore voter confidence since its worst election defeat in modern history last year, which saw the Coalition reduced to 43 seats in the lower house.

Angus wearing a suit and tie speaks with a woman in the background and a blue banner for Australian Energy Producers
Tony Abbott says he is determined to help Angus Taylor win the next election. (ABC News)

It represents a changing of the guard within the party, with Mr Abbott replacing John Olsen, and director Andrew Hirst to depart in July after almost nine years in the position.

Mr Taylor is attempting to unify the fractured Liberal Party by pivoting to a right-wing economic and immigration platform after replacing its first female leader Sussan Ley.

The shift in policy, as well as Mr Abbott's appointment, further demonstrates a veering to the right, a cohort that is increasingly defecting to One Nation.

Concerns surrounding the rise of One Nation were elevated when Ms Ley's seat was won by One Nation's David Farley, claiming the party's first-ever lower house seat in federal parliament.

One Nation member for New England Barnaby Joyce celebrates at the One Nation Farrer by-election win.
One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce celebrated the party's victory in Albury.

Its moderate flank has also been hollowed out with losses at the past two elections, particularly to independents in inner-city seats such as North Sydney, Wentworth, Warringah, Mackellar and Kooyong.

The Liberal Party's moderate wing temporarily held the reins under Ms Ley, but has drastically lost prominence under Mr Taylor, who relegated many of those factionally misaligned, like Alex Hawke, Paul Scarr and Angie Bell, when he became leader.

Turnbull says independent party could fill 'vacuum'
Two women speaking in the house of representatives
Independent MPs Zali Steggall, Allegra Spender and David Pocock have confirmed they are in conversations about a potential party of independents in response to the rising popularity of One Nation.

Mr Abbott is expected to step down from his role on the advisory board of Advance Australia, having joined the conservative lobby group in 2023, as reported by the ABC.

Charlie Taylor will step into the treasurer role, with Geoff Page, Alexander Downer, Caroline Inge and Caroline Di Russio elevated into vice-president roles.

It was confirmed former Lindsay MP Fiona Scott withdrew her nomination for vice-president.

So big deal. Tony Abbott Mr GP co-payments, is ready to serve the liberal party again.      

Dnarever wrote on May 30^th, 2026 at 2:22pm:



He made men into knights of the round table.

I became sir Bobby.   

High time for the Libs to grow a spine.

Wow. No budgie smuggler memes.

lee wrote on May 30^th, 2026 at 3:23pm:


Yes he was a laugh a minute wasn't he. Very sad indeed.

Ai_Took_Our_Jobs wrote on May 30^th, 2026 at 3:23pm:


OMG - you really are a moron. 

Ai_Took_Our_Jobs wrote on May 30^th, 2026 at 3:23pm:


Indeed.

The only ones who won't benefit are Taylor and the Liberal Party.

A very stupid move.