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Tony Abbott to Be Named Lib Party President
Tony Abbott will return to active political life after being elected unopposed to the party’s top administrative role, officials said.
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott is set to become the Liberal Party's new federal president after being nominated unopposed, with confirmation expected at the Liberal Federal Council meeting in Melbourne next week.
After losing his Warringah seat to Independent Zali Steggall in 2019, Abbott replaces outgoing president John Olsen, marking his return to the political front lines.
In a Friday opinion piece, Abbott wrote that the Coalition's "political timidity" drove the rise of One Nation, arguing the party should not be "One nation-lite."
Federal director Andrew Hirst will depart his role soon after the council, while former foreign minister Alexander Downer contests a vice president position after withdrawing from the presidential race.
Although the council's views are non-binding on the parliamentary party, supporters hope Abbott's energy will revitalize an organization facing a surge from One Nation.