Tony Abbott returns to political life as Downer drops out of race for Liberal Party president
Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has formally entered the race for Liberal Party president. With Alexander Downer dropping out, Abbott becomes the leading candidate and will play a defining role in the party's strategy for the next federal election.
Australia's 28th prime minister, Tony Abbott, formally announced his candidacy for the Liberal Party presidency at the party's national convention in Sydney. Abbott, 67, served as prime minister from 2013 to 2015 and has been central to internal reform debates after the Liberal Party recorded one of its weakest historical results in the last federal election.
The main rival in the race, former foreign minister Alexander Downer, withdrew hours before the convention and endorsed Abbott. The move was read as a signal that the party's right wing has consolidated behind Abbott. The Liberal Party lost 17 seats at the March election, and incumbent president David Coleman Genesis ended his term at this convention.
ABC News Australia political analyst Annabel Crabb said that if Abbott takes the presidency, 'a shift of the Liberal Party from its centrist positioning toward the right will be inevitable'. Changes to the party constitution and influence over the candidate-selection process for the next three years stand out as Abbott's priority areas. The AUD/USD pair held flat at 0.62 following the news, but the future of the Liberal Party's preferred tax-reform package remains uncertain.
More from Australia-Pacific
Air NZ boss defends new routes amid reduced services elsewhere
Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran responded to criticism over three new international routes from Christchurch to Singapore, Tokyo and Perth. Foran said the cuts to Wellington and regional flights stem from Iran-war-driven fuel prices.
Aspiration has changed since the Howard era. This budget is finally catching up
Treasurer Jim Chalmers's 2026-27 budget proposes a sweeping reorientation of housing, childcare and education incentives. According to ABC analysis, the budget breaks with the middle-class identity of the John Howard era and refocuses on a younger generation of renting voters.
Tax changes 'threaten to chill' record federal green energy support
The Australian Taxation Office plan to narrow capital gains tax exemptions for renewable energy projects has drawn sharp investor pushback. The Clean Energy Investor Group warned that A$18 billion in investment could be deferred. The federal government's 2030 target of 82 percent renewable energy is at risk.