Path clear for ‘Josh Frydenberg comeback’ after Liberal Party vote

Josh Frydenberg supporters secure key positions in Liberal Party executive in Kooyong, paving the way for a possible comeback.

Josh Frydenberg at Balwyn North Primary. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Josh Frydenberg supporters have received a resounding vote of confidence in key internal Liberal Party elections, paving the way for a possible comeback if the former federal treasurer decides to have a second crack at politics.

Kooyong Liberal Party members met on Monday night to elect new office holders in the electorate and the executive are all understood to be “Josh loyalists”.

About 450 party members gathered at Malvern Town Hall for the meeting that elected Jacqui Blackwell, who has a close association with Mr Frydenberg, as the electorate’s new chair. It’s understood that Amelia Hamer, who just fell short of beating teal independent Monique Ryan at the May 3 federal election, canvassed support for the role, but ultimately did not contest the position.

Since being swept from federal parliament in the teal wave at the 2022 federal election, Mr Frydenberg has been the subject of comeback speculation. With the next election three years away, it’s too early for the former treasurer to have made a decision, but a comeback has certainly not been ruled out.

Mr Frydenberg was first elected in Kooyong – an electorate represented by Sir Robert Menzies and Andrew Peacock – in 2010, and was re-elected in 2013, 2016 and 2019.