On 11 October, Josh Frydenberg appeared on television to raise concerns about his party's direction, a move that coincided with his preparations to re-enter the political arena. Speaking at a media interview, Frydenberg raised concerns about Angus Taylor's leadership of the Liberal Party, pointing to polling figures he described as historically low and indicating that the organisation faced what he viewed as a potentially existential challenge — one that, in his assessment, made some form of structural change unavoidable.
When asked whether Taylor would be troubled by the criticism directed at him, the respondent noted that it was coming from multiple directions.
Passages from Frydenberg's memoir, which reportedly touches on policy directions, have prompted speculation about a potential return to frontline politics, with the former treasurer noting he has not ruled out a comeback but sees no need to make any hasty decision — comments that come amid broader calls from within the Liberal Party for the organisation to lift its performance. Speaking to a prominent broadcast outlet, he noted that the next vote was roughly a year and a half away.
Frydenberg held the Kooyong parliamentary seat across a 12-year stretch beginning in 2010, during which he served as Treasurer under the Morrison government — a tenure that spanned the pandemic period. At the 2022 election, independent MP Monique Ryan took the seat from him, drawing just under 53 per cent of the two-party preferred vote in her favour.
Ryan responded to questions about her rival's possible return with composure, telling a news outlet on 12 October that she had no strong feelings either way, while also acknowledging that Josh had built up a record of engagement with the Kooyong community. After holding the seat for 12 years, he lost the 2022 election, with voters in the area pointing to dissatisfaction over his record on influencing government policy related to climate change.
Dissatisfaction with his handling of economic affairs was also cited. Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson called on members of the public to put their names forward as candidates, describing participation as a path toward building a stronger Liberal Party and contributing to what he characterised as a winning team. The remarks, delivered to a television news outlet, expressed a desire for Angus Taylor to lead the next government.
A Redbridge poll published on 11 October put support for Taylor as prime minister at 22 per cent among respondents, with Anthony Albanese drawing 32 per cent and Pauline Hanson attracting 26 per cent.
