A reasonable query for Liberals at this point is: if Josh Frydenberg is the answer, what is the question? There was a whiff of weariness in some corners of parliament this week, as the former treasurer and deputy Liberal leader happily stoked another round of “Josh for Canberra” speculation. With more rumoured comebacks than Oasis, Frydenberg’s latest foray into the national political arena saw him bouncing around TV, radio and podcast interviews to promote his new book, and pointedly refuse to rule out trying to rejoin the parliament.
His book – part family history, part treatise on antisemitism and social cohesion, part political manifesto – is titled A Grateful Son. But is he instead the prodigal son? The one who set out on his own but is destined to be welcomed back to the Liberal party family with joy and celebrations?
Frydenberg is young enough, bright enough and certainly energetic enough to still make a difference in public life. His addition to what is often a tired Coalition partyroom would certainly spice things up, and give a new weapon in their arsenal. The ideas in his book – a remix of the GST to fund income tax cuts, concerns about the future of his party, changes to the system of federalism, yet more calls for civic service for school leavers – are politically inconvenient for the federal Coalition as well as the Victorian Liberals headed for an election win, but are worth considering.
The talk around parliament is that Frydenberg is privately telling people he is unlikely to seek a return. But the fact he has pointedly refused to rule it out in a conga line of media interviews, saying only that he would make his mind up later, seems opportunistic. The spectre of a potential leadership alternative is hardly a help for Angus Taylor.
Labor sources have helpfully shared key quotes from Frydenberg’s book and media tour, pointing out his calls for changes to GST, the labour market, and criticisms of the Liberal trajectory – again, none helpful to the leader. The problems facing the modern Liberal party, under Taylor’s leadership, are myriad. Its hostile right flank is barracking for Pauline Hanson and One Nation, its centre is still eyeing the teal independents, and Taylor – now eight months into the job – has a lower primary vote than when Sussan Ley was dumped.
The Guardian Essential poll found the Coalition primary at a record low 22% in September, compared to 25% in January, a fortnight before Taylor rolled Ley. These are all reasons for alarm for the centre right. It’s just not clear if Frydenberg is the answer to any of these problems.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
