Death of former Liberal vice-president Teena McQueen and her political career
Consensus Summary
Teena McQueen, a long-serving Liberal Party vice-president from 2017 to 2023, died on June 25, 2026, after a brief illness. She had defected to One Nation in May 2026, ending decades of Liberal Party membership. McQueen was known for her conservative commentary on Sky News and her close association with figures like Gina Rinehart and Donald Trump. Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott and other political figures paid tribute, highlighting her dedication to Australian politics and her blunt, no-nonsense approach. Her death was marked by tributes from both Liberal and One Nation figures, reflecting her divisive yet influential role in Australian politics. The Guardian noted her belief that the Liberal Partyâs decline began with Abbottâs loss of the prime ministership, while ABC emphasized her behind-the-scenes administrative contributions to the party.
â Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Teena McQueen served as federal Liberal Party vice-president from 2017 to 2023
- McQueen died on Wednesday, June 25, 2026, after a short but severe illness
- McQueen defected to One Nation in May 2026 after decades in the Liberal Party
- Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott called McQueen a 'good friend' and 'a fine servant' to the Liberal Party
- McQueen was a long-standing Liberal Party activist on the NSW Central Coast and a delegate to federal council
- McQueen regularly appeared on Sky News and spent time with Gina Rinehart at Donald Trumpâs Mar-a-Lago resort
- Gina Rinehart issued a tribute stating McQueen 'cared deeply about our country, its future, and the values that make Australia'
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- One Nation leader Pauline Hanson said McQueen was 'a woman full of life' and shared conservative values but had differing opinions on cooking, sewing, and gardening.
- One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce described McQueenâs passing as 'great surprise and incredible sadness' and noted her dedication to Australia 'via her passion for politics as the unpaid administration of the volunteer party structure'.
- McQueenâs family told Sky News she died after a battle with a short but severe medical condition.
- NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane described McQueen as 'a force of nature in Australian politics' in a tribute posted to X.
- McQueen revealed in May that she believed the Liberal Partyâs decline began when Tony Abbott lost his position as prime minister.
- Tony Abbott said McQueen 'sometimes put loyalty ahead of judgment' and that her frustrations with the party became public in recent weeks.
- Simon Birmingham (then senator) called McQueenâs position as vice-president 'untenable' in 2022 after she said it was good 'lefties' had left the party.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states McQueenâs family told Sky News she died after a 'short but severe medical condition,' while the Guardian does not specify the exact nature of her illness beyond 'severe sickness.'
Source Articles
Former Liberal vice-president Teena McQueen dies after short illness
Teena McQueen, who served as the federal Liberal Party vice-president from 2017 to 2023, died on Wednesday after a battle with a short but severe medical condition.
Former Liberal vice-president Teena McQueen dies from illness weeks after defecting to One Nation
Tony Abbott says he has lost a good friend as NSW opposition leader pays tribute to âforce of natureâ The former Liberal heavyweight Teena McQueen is being remembered for her contribution to the party despite her defection to One Nation. McQueen, who served as the federal Liberal party vice-president from 2017 to 2023, died on Wednesday after battling severe sickness. Continue reading...