Election 2022: Josh Frydenberg refuses to concede defeat in Kooyong

Josh Frydenberg says it is still ‘mathematically possible’ that he can hold off teal independent Monique Ryan.

Josh Frydenberg refuses to concede defeat in Kooyong. Picture: David Caird

Josh Frydenberg has refused to concede in Kooyong, where he says it is still “mathematically possible” but “obviously very, very difficult.”

“I will wait until more postal votes are counted before saying any more about the particular results in Kooyong,” the outgoing Treasurer said at a press conference on Sunday.

Mr Frydenberg looks all but certain to lose the Melbourne seat of Kooyong to teal independent challenger Monique Ryan.

The outgoing Treasurer said he was “extremely proud” of his time in parliament and cabinet.

“I have worked extremely hard with the local charities, the small businesses, with the families, with the schools, and we have delivered some very significant outcomes.

“The last three years as Treasurer have been particularly rewarding, but also particularly challenging. Little did I know three years ago, when I stood up and delivered a budget on the eve of the 2019 election, that Australia would go through its biggest economic shock since the great depression. Facing the first global pandemic in more than a century.

“In my last press conference as Treasurer, I announced an unemployment rate at 3.9 per cent, the lowest in nearly 50 years.”

Josh Frydenberg says action on climate change has not been well served by the “culture wars”, as he conceded it will be very difficult to retain his seat of Kooyong but argued it is still “mathematically” possible with about 12 per cent of the overall still left to count.

Speaking in Melbourne, the outgoing Treasurer conceded climate change was high on voters’ minds in Kooyong, and argued that the Coalition needed to be better at “articulating” what the party has done for climate action.

“What I do believe is that Australia has not been well served by the culture wars on climate change,” Mr Frydenberg said.

“Whether you believe in it or don’t believe in it, climate change is not a religion. It needs to be dealt with from a perspective of engineering, economics and also environmental science.”

Asked about his political future, Mr Frydenberg said he will take time to reflect on his future plans but signalled he had “a few more years to go”.

“I will just take some time to reflect on my future plans,” Mr Frydenberg said. “But first and foremost it is about spending more time with the kids and with my wife, because the last few years have obviously seen myself parked in Canberra for a good portion of that.

“I definitely have got plenty of fire in my belly, plenty of time to do other things.”