Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has urged conservatives to give the Liberal Party “one last chance” to regain public trust following their disappointing performance in the 2025 election. Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (Cpac) in Brisbane, Abbott joined other prominent figures from the Coalition in a concerted effort to encourage voters to remain loyal to the party instead of turning to right-wing minor parties.
In his keynote address, Abbott acknowledged the need for the party to improve, stating, “We must be a better opposition this time than last time, and we must be a better government next time than last time.” He reiterated his plea for voters to offer the Liberals another opportunity to demonstrate their worthiness, emphasizing the importance of reform within the party.
Calls for Party Reform and Unity
Abbott’s remarks come amid rising concerns regarding the fragmentation of conservative support in Australia. He specifically called for the removal of the influence of “factional warlords” within the party, echoing discussions about the potential emergence of a different conservative party outside the established Liberal and National parties. Referencing the success of Nigel Farage’s Reform Party in the UK, Abbott remarked, “What we need right now in Australia is not a reform party, but a reformed party. A reformed Liberal party.”
The sentiments echoed by Abbott were further supported by Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who recently lost her position on the shadow frontbench. At the conference, she called on attendees to help reshape the Liberal Party, advocating for the abandonment of the net zero climate target established by former Prime Minister Scott Morrison. She described the target as “communism,” urging her colleagues to oppose it and to return the party to its centre-right roots.
The audience at Cpac demonstrated their enthusiasm for these messages, with interjections in support of Pauline Hanson and her party, One Nation. The conference featured several notable speakers, including conservative politicians such as Alex Antic, Matt Canavan, and former British Prime Minister Liz Truss.
Political Landscape and Future Strategies
Concerns persist within the Coalition regarding the loss of support to both moderate “teal” independents and more right-leaning parties like One Nation. A recent Newspoll indicated that the Coalition’s primary vote has plummeted to an all-time low of 27%, while One Nation’s support has surged to 10%.
During the conference, Abbott discussed the implications of the government’s climate policy, asserting that the recently announced target of a 62-70% reduction by 2035 could jeopardize the current administration’s political future.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley stated that while she does not support setting climate targets while in opposition, the Liberal Party continues to review its stance on net zero. Ley acknowledged the need for the Coalition to adapt strategies in light of recent electoral challenges.
Warren Mundine, chair of Cpac, stressed the necessity for conservative voters to unite in order to compete effectively in future elections. He encouraged attendees to collaborate, saying, “We need to bring all the conservative groups together.”
Deputy Liberal Leader Ted O’Brien faced some pushback during his speech, as audience members demanded to know what actions would be taken to address the current political landscape. O’Brien admitted the need to rebuild the Liberal Party in order to regain voter confidence.
Senator Bridget McKenzie, the shadow transport minister, also highlighted the importance of unity within the conservative movement. She noted that the left has successfully maintained solidarity, stating, “The enemy has done this to us; they are highly disciplined, very well-financed, and relentless.”
As the Liberal Party navigates its future direction, the messages from Cpac reflect a broader call for unity and reform within the Coalition, as it strives to reclaim its position in Australian politics.
