The Liberal Party is undertaking efforts to mend internal divisions following its poor performance in the federal election held in May last year. A review, which surfaced earlier this year, highlighted tensions between then-Minister Peter Dutton’s office and the party’s long-standing federal director, Andrew Hirst. To address these issues, Lincoln Folo was recently appointed as the new federal director, having previously held the equivalent role with the Nationals, the junior partner in the Coalition. Folo has wasted little time in reasserting control and fostering closer ties among party staff.
On Wednesday evening, Folo was seen at the Kingston Hotel in Canberra alongside Simon Berger, his deputy who had also been a contender for the federal director position, and Joshrn Manutua, a former adviser linked to a previous internal controversy. Present as well were the majority of staff from Minister Angus Taylor’s office, despite Taylor himself being on leave. Taylor is set to return to work on Friday, ahead of the parliament’s resumption following the five-week winter recess.
Taylor’s name has reportedly come up early in an ongoing eight-week inquiry, causing some concern among his colleagues. Party sources have remained tight-lipped about the group’s social gathering at the Kingston Hotel, including who covered the expenses.
Meanwhile, attention is turning toward the upcoming Nationals Federal Conference, which will take place next weekend in Canberra. The conference, seen as a pivotal event for the Coalition’s rural wing, has attracted significant figures, including former Prime Minister John Howard. Howard’s attendance will mark his first appearance at a Nationals federal conference since 2017, a period when Barnaby Joyce was the party leader and deputy prime minister. The inclusion of Howard, alongside country music star Lee Kernaghan, has been interpreted as a symbolic return to experienced leadership within the Nationals.
The timing of the conference is notable given recent political developments, including the Farrer by-election, which underscored the growing influence of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party in rural electorates traditionally held by the Coalition. The Coalition faces mounting pressure to demonstrate unity and strengthen its position in these key constituencies.
As the Coalition prepares for a closely watched parliamentary sitting next week, efforts to project stability and cohesion remain paramount. The National Conference and the Liberal Party’s internal restructuring are both seen as critical steps in navigating the challenges that lie ahead.