Leader Angus Taylor to be in spotlight at Liberal Federal Council as party meets amid rise of One Nation
Liberal leader Angus Taylor is expected to be the hot topic at the party's annual federal council meeting of delegates from across the country.
Angus Taylor’s performance as Liberal leader is expected to dominate discussion when the party’s federal council meets.
Support for the federal Liberal Party has plummeted to historic lows amid a turbulent leadership change in which Mr Taylor took the top job in February, and the rise of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation.
The dire state of affairs and the opposition leader’s attack on the Albanese government’s controversial 2026/27 budget will be hot topics when the Liberal Federal Council meets on Friday.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“The big discussions are going to be about how we’re travelling and has Angus turned a corner for us?” political consultant and former Howard government advisor Ian Hanke told AAP.
“Yes, he has, but how far have we got to go? A long way.
“That will dominate a lot of the conversation.”
Mr Hanke said there would be a “noticeable sea change” in people’s attitudes and views at the conference.
“Whenever there’s a new leader, there’s always a question mark until they have the first test,” he said.
“The budget in reply was a test for Angus, and he passed it because Labor is now responding to us for the first time in ages.
“What he has done with that budget in reply is set up a genuine philosophical debate about the future of the country.”
Surging support for One Nation at the expense of the coalition and the Labor Party will also be discussed during the two-day gathering, at which former prime minister Tony Abbott will be elected unopposed as the federal president of the Liberal Party.
Mr Abbott’s return to the political frontline indicated the party was set to focus on campaigning, Mr Henke said.
“Mr Abbott was an excellent campaigner and opposition leader with a laser-like focus on messaging and nailing the other side,” he said.
“His experience and also working with Angus, who has sharpened up his act a lot compared to where he was 12 or 15 months ago, will be very beneficial.”
In his first budget reply speech earlier in May, Mr Taylor conceded the Liberals and Nationals had a long road to win back voters’ confidence.
He outlined a plan to overhaul the tax system, restrict welfare to citizens, and slash immigration.
One Nation accused him of copying its policies, and migrant groups accused him of chasing votes with a dog whistle and division.
According to a Roy Morgan survey published on Tuesday, primary support for the coalition dropped one per cent to 23 per cent in the past week while support for One Nation increased by one per cent to 25.5 per cent.
Labor Party support fell two per cent to 27.5 per cent during the same period.
