Abbott Steps Down to Lead Liberals

Tony Abbott is stepping down from his advisory role at the rightwing group Advance as he prepares to take the helm as Liberal Party federal president — a move that stirs debate over his influence and the party’s direction. Having guided Advance since 2023, Abbott’s ties to the group — which receives Liberal funding and has been accused of indirectly aiding rival parties — have raised eyebrows. Critics fear his potential appointment of Advance allies like Matthew Sheahan and Steve Doyle could push the Liberals too far right, alienating urban voters. While some see him as a unifying force, the party grapples with whether his strategy will help win future elections — especially as he’s all but guaranteed the top job. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/c3ccd27d5d7f4d37