SMH · George Brandis · Sunday 24 May 2026
George Brandis pitches Tony Abbott's return as Liberal Party president as a masterstroke, which tells you everything about the depth of talent on the Liberal bench.
Brandis reckons the man who lost government in 2015 is the Liberals' salvation in 2026 — the arsonist returning with a hose and a humble look. Abbott as president is the party admitting the cupboard's so bare they've gone digging in the bin out the back. Menzies built a movement that outlasted him. This mob can't outlast a news cycle without ringing the bloke they sacked.