Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has urged conservatives to grant the Liberal Party “one last chance” to regain voter trust following a disappointing performance in the 2025 election. His appeal came during a major political conference, the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), held in Brisbane, where he joined other prominent members of the Coalition in discouraging voters from turning to right-wing minor parties.
During his keynote address, Abbott acknowledged the party’s recent electoral struggles and emphasized the need for a renewed commitment to conservatism. “We must be a better opposition this time than last time, and we must be a better government next time than last time,” Abbott stated. He expressed a desire for voters to provide the Liberals with another opportunity to demonstrate their capability, saying, “I hope that you will give us one last chance to prove ourselves worthy of your trust.”
Abbott’s sentiments were echoed by Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who recently lost her position on the shadow frontbench. She urged conference attendees to remain loyal to the Liberal Party and called for a reconsideration of the party’s climate policies, advocating for the abandonment of the net-zero emissions target established under former Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Price described the climate target as “communism” and declared it time for the Liberals to “push back against this freedom-eroding nonsense.”
Calls for Reform and Concerns Over Voter Loyalty
Abbott also called for significant reform within the party, suggesting that the influence of “factional warlords” must be curtailed. This call for change comes amid discussions in Australia regarding the potential emergence of an alternative conservative party outside the traditional Liberal and National frameworks. He referenced the success of Nigel Farage‘s Reform Party in the UK, which has gained traction over established conservative parties. “What we need right now in Australia is not a reform party, but a reformed party,” he stressed.
The atmosphere at CPAC was charged, with attendees frequently interjecting in support of various conservative figures, including Pauline Hanson and her party, One Nation. Hanson is scheduled to speak at the conference on Sunday, while other notable speakers include Alex Antic, Matt Canavan, and former British Prime Minister Liz Truss.
Sources within the Coalition have expressed growing concerns about losing support to both moderate “teal” independents and more extreme right-wing parties like One Nation. A recent Newspoll indicated that the Coalition’s primary vote has plummeted to an all-time low of just 27%, while One Nation has risen to 10%.
Price articulated the need for the Liberal Party to redefine itself. She referred to the recent election defeat as a “Coalition failure,” stating that the party had lost its determination to present policies distinct from those of the Labor Party. “We need to return to being a strong centre-right party – in conviction, in policy, and in practice,” she asserted.
Abbott supported Price’s position, arguing that the Liberal Party should firmly oppose the Labor government’s climate initiatives. He criticized the government’s newly proposed target of a 62% to 70% reduction in emissions by 2035, claiming that it could be “this government’s political death warrant.”
Unity Among Conservatives
Opposition leader Sussan Ley responded to the calls for change, asserting that while she does not support establishing climate targets in opposition, the Coalition continues to evaluate its net-zero stance.
Warren Mundine, chair of CPAC and a former president of the Labor Party, emphasized the necessity for conservative factions to unite if they hope to secure future electoral victories. “We’ve got a battle; we need to bring all the conservative groups together,” he stated, highlighting the importance of collaboration among conservative voters.
Despite the push for unity, Deputy Liberal Leader Ted O’Brien faced heckling during his address as he criticized the Albanese government, with audience members demanding to know how the party plans to address current issues. O’Brien acknowledged the challenges ahead, admitting the need to “rebuild the Liberal Party.”
Senator Bridget McKenzie of the Nationals added her voice to the call for unity, stating that the “centre-right of politics … has to stop fighting amongst ourselves.” She noted that the opposition needs to learn from the left, which has maintained a disciplined and well-financed approach to politics.
The sentiments expressed at CPAC reflect a pivotal moment for the Liberal Party as it grapples with internal divisions and the challenge of regaining its footing in the Australian political landscape.