Key facts
- Josh Frydenberg, former Australian Treasurer and deputy Liberal leader, is fueling speculation about a return to politics.
- Frydenberg has refused to rule out seeking a parliamentary seat.
- His new book, 'A Grateful Son', discusses family history, antisemitism, social cohesion, and political ideas.
- Frydenberg's policy ideas include a remix of the GST to fund income tax cuts and changes to federalism.
- Frydenberg was ousted from parliament in 2022 by Monique Ryan in the Kooyong electorate.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers have commented on Frydenberg's media appearances and potential political ambitions.
Speculation is rising over the potential return of Josh Frydenberg, the former Australian Treasurer and deputy Liberal leader, to national politics. Frydenberg has been actively promoting his new book, 'A Grateful Son', through a series of media interviews, during which he has pointedly refused to rule out seeking a return to parliament.
His book touches on family history, antisemitism, social cohesion, and outlines political ideas such as remixing the GST to fund income tax cuts and reforming federalism. These policy suggestions are seen as potentially inconvenient for the current federal Coalition and Victorian Liberal leadership. While Frydenberg is reportedly telling people privately that a return is unlikely, his public refusal to rule it out is seen by some as opportunistic.
The Liberal party, under Angus Taylor's leadership, is facing challenges, including a low primary vote and pressure from its right flank and teal independents. Frydenberg's potential return could offer a well-known face and policy expertise, though questions remain about his electability and whether he would seek a leadership role.
Labor figures have been quick to comment on Frydenberg's media tour, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joking that Frydenberg was the "shadow opposition leader" and Treasurer Jim Chalmers claiming he was "stalking" Taylor for the leadership. Frydenberg was ousted from his Kooyong seat in 2022 by independent Monique Ryan, a victory supported by Climate 200, a group founded by Simon Holmes à Court, a former donor to Frydenberg's fundraising vehicle. The teal wave that unseated Frydenberg and other moderate Liberals has not necessarily grown into a dominant force since then.