A reasonable query for Liberals at this point is whether former treasurer and deputy Liberal leader Josh Frydenberg holds the answers to the party's current struggles. Parliament has seen renewed speculation this week as Frydenberg completed a round of television, radio, and podcast appearances to promote his new book, pointedly refusing to rule out an eventual return to federal politics.
The book, titled A Grateful Son, blends family history, a manifesto on social cohesion and antisemitism, and a political platform. Its contents include proposals for a restructured GST to fund income tax cuts, critiques of the Liberal party's trajectory, alterations to federalism, and mandatory civic service for school leavers. While these ideas offer fresh debate, they present political inconveniences for both the federal Coalition and state Liberal branches.
Privately, insiders suggest Frydenberg is unlikely to seek a parliamentary comeback, yet his public refusal to close the door has fueled opportunism. This ongoing speculation introduces an unhelpful leadership shadow for current leader Angus Taylor. Meanwhile, Labor figures have eagerly highlighted excerpts from the book and media tour, amplifying internal policy criticisms.
The modern Liberal party faces significant challenges under Taylor, whose primary vote numbers remain low amid pressure from right-wing groups and teal independents. Whether Frydenberg would offer a substantial improvement over Taylor remains a central question, with skeptics wondering if he is viewed as a figure of the past. Although a return to the partyroom could provide a prominent policy voice, questions linger over whether he would accept a subordinate cabinet role rather than the leadership.
Critics also note the irony of a potential return given the manner of his 2022 departure, when he lost his seat to independent Monique Ryan during a wave of moderate urban upsets. While independent movements have faced mixed fortunes since then, a Frydenberg comeback would likely energize adversaries rather than unify the broader electorate.
Unsurprisingly, government figures have leaned into the distraction, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers publicly joking about Frydenberg acting as a shadow leader and tracking the Coalition leadership. As the media tour continues, the speculation surrounding Frydenberg's future in public life persists.