Tony Abbott elected unopposed as Liberal Party president, returning to political frontlines
Consensus Summary
Tony Abbott will be elected unopposed as the new federal president of the Liberal Party, marking his return to active political life seven years after losing his Sydney seat of Warringah in 2019. The appointment will be confirmed at the Liberal Federal Council meeting in Melbourne next week, where Abbott will succeed John Olsen. Former foreign minister Alexander Downer withdrew from the presidency race to contest a vice-president position. Abbottâs election has sparked concerns among moderate Liberals, who fear he will push the party further right on issues like immigration and create internal divisions. The role, which oversees administrative and campaigning functions, is unpaid and operates independently of the parliamentary party. Meanwhile, the Victorian Liberal Party is undergoing its own leadership transition, with Philip Davis expected to step down as state president and Brian Loughnane, married to Abbottâs former chief of staff Peta Credlin, set to replace him. The party has faced recent controversies, including a $1.55 million loan dispute and a preselection scandal involving a candidate linked to a convicted sex offender.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Tony Abbott will become the new federal Liberal party president, confirmed at the Liberal partyâs federal council meeting in Melbourne next weekend (May 26â28, 2026).
- Alexander Downer withdrew from the presidency race and will instead run for one of the vice-presidentâs positions.
- Abbott will succeed former South Australian premier John Olsen as federal president.
- Abbott lost his Sydney seat of Warringah in the 2019 federal election.
- The Liberal Federal Council comprises 14 delegates, including the president, parliamentary leader, president of the Young Liberal Movement, president of the Womenâs Council, and 10 others from each state and the ACT.
- Abbott was asked about a tilt at the presidency at the Sydney Writersâ Festival on May 17, 2026.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Moderate Liberals fear Abbott will use the presidency to pull the party further right on issues like immigration and create drama for opposition leader Angus Taylor.
- Charlie Taylor, Angus Taylorâs brother, formally nominated Abbott for the presidency.
- The federal presidency is an unpaid role overseeing the partyâs administrative wing and campaigning infrastructure, working at armâs length from the parliamentary party.
- Victorian Liberal party state council will meet in Melbourne on May 25, 2026, where the executive is up for re-election, with Philip Davis expected to step down and Brian Loughnane as the sole candidate to replace him.
- Loughnane is married to Peta Credlin, Abbottâs former chief of staff.
- A sub-faction of Victorian Liberal members is suing the executive over a $1.55 million loan awarded to former leader John Pesutto to pay legal fees owed to Moira Deeming after she successfully sued him for defamation.
- Jess Wilson (Victorian Liberal state opposition leader) and James Paterson (federal senator) directly approached Loughnane to nominate for the presidency, with Loughnane agreeing only if it had factional support and was for a short duration.
- A moderate-aligned Victorian Liberal source described Loughnane as a 'seasoned operator' and 'classical Liberal' who would help bring the party together.
- The Liberal Federal Council will endorse Abbott next week when they meet in Melbourne (no specific date given).
- The Executive, which includes the Federal office bearers, Divisional Presidents, and the Federal Parliamentary Leadership Group, normally meets at least four times a year.
- Abbott is 68 years old.
- Abbott served as prime minister from 2013 to 2015, ousted by Malcolm Turnbull after a leadership spill.
- Abbott was defeated in the 2019 election by independent Zali Steggall.
- Abbott recently published a book titled *Australia: a history* and appeared at the Sydney Writers Festival.
- The Liberal Party commissioned a review by Nick Minchin and Pru Goward after the 2025 federal election, which found the party only won a majority of votes in the over-55 age group, while 'all other demographics were lost.'
- Abbottâs Substack opinion piece criticized the Liberal Partyâs political timidity, linking it to the rise of One Nation and inconsistent stances on climate, identity, and migration.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states the federal council meeting is scheduled for 'next weekend' (May 26â28, 2026), while News.com.au and ABC refer to it as 'next week' without specifying dates.
- The Guardian mentions the federal presidency is an unpaid role, but does not specify this in News.com.au or ABC.
Source Articles
Tony Abbott to become new Liberal party president in former PMâs return to political frontlines
Unopposed nomination comes seven years after Abbott lost his Sydney seat of Warringah at the 2019 election Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Tony Abbott will become the new federal Liberal party president in a return to the political frontlines for the conservative former prime minister. Abbott was the only nominee for the presidency after the other contender â former foreign minister Alexander Downer â chose to instead run for one of the vice-presidentâs positions. Co
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