Barnaby Joyce Warns Josh Frydenberg Comeback Could Aid One Nation

One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce has cautioned that former treasurer Josh Frydenberg's potential political comeback could inadvertently bolster the One Nation party, arguing it would siphon conservative voters from the Liberal Party. Joyce's remarks came after Frydenberg hinted at a return to politics during an interview with Sharri Markson on News24.

Joyce expressed that Frydenberg's return would serve to "reinvigorate conservative politics," a move he believes would strengthen One Nation's position. He asserted that the political landscape has shifted, with voters increasingly favoring parties with distinct ideological stances over those attempting to appeal broadly.

"The nature of politics today is different. Those divisions are much sharper now. You're either conservative or socialist. That's increasingly the nature of politics," Joyce said. He added, "What One Nation has done in politics is bring about the reinvigoration of conservative politics, and that's a good thing. People are following our policies."

Joyce also criticized the Labor Party, suggesting it no longer represents the working class, noting a decline in frontbench members from working-class Labor backgrounds.

Political analyst Peter van Onselen commented that Frydenberg's return could present both opportunities and challenges for the Coalition. While acknowledging Frydenberg's experience, van Onselen cautioned that his presence might not be a panacea for the Liberal Party's issues and could introduce leadership speculation, potentially distracting current leaders like Angus Taylor.

Van Onselen also pointed out that Frydenberg would need to address his association with the Morrison government's policies, which still resonate with some voters. "Josh was a central figure in the Morrison government and backed its pandemic response. He can't return as though he had nothing to do with the decisions that still anger plenty of voters. That's the baggage Barnaby is pointing to, and people haven't necessarily forgotten it," he said.

Despite these potential hurdles, van Onselen suggested that Frydenberg could contribute to rebuilding the Liberal Party if he re-enters Parliament. However, he noted that Frydenberg's return could also create competition for leadership within the party. Divisions between Frydenberg and Taylor have already surfaced, notably after Frydenberg proposed raising the GST to 15 percent, a suggestion Taylor quickly opposed.