Former Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has critically reflected on the political dynamics surrounding his 2022 electoral defeat in Kooyong, attributing part of his loss to what he describes as a campaign marked by personal attacks and contradictions from the so-called “teal” movement. In a series of excerpts from his forthcoming memoir, *A Grateful Son*, Frydenberg offers a detailed account of his experiences navigating politics amid heightened tensions over climate policy and increasing vitriol.
Frydenberg points to Simon Holmes a Court, a prominent advocate for renewable energy and a key figure backing the teal campaign, as emblematic of what he terms “toxic sludge” in political discourse. He recounts the deterioration of his relationship with Holmes a Court, who initially sought his endorsement while presenting gifts from his family vineyard. However, Frydenberg said their rapport soured as he rejected Holmes a Court’s vigorous calls to adopt more aggressive renewable energy policies, particularly criticism of the National Energy Guarantee (NEG), a policy that aimed to balance emissions reduction with energy reliability. He characterized Holmes a Court as a persistent and sometimes intrusive critic who did not fully align with the party’s broader approach.
Frydenberg also singles out Monique Ryan, the Kooyong MP who defeated him in 2022, criticizing her campaign’s rhetoric and what he perceives as a lack of substantive policy detail. While Ryan and her supporters publicly committed to promoting a kinder, more respectful style of politics, Frydenberg alleges their campaign was rife with personal abuse and portrayed their opponents as morally inferior. He references attacks including social media posts that equated former Prime Minister John Howard with Josef Mengele, the Nazi doctor associated with Auschwitz atrocities. The former treasurer suggests such invective reveals a discrepancy between the teals’ stated principles and their actual campaign tactics.
The broader context of Frydenberg’s critique includes the evolving landscape of Australian politics, marked by the rise of independent candidates funded by progressive groups such as Climate 200, which supports the teal movement. Frydenberg traces this trend to the 2019 unseating of former Prime Minister Tony Abbott by independent Zali Steggall in Warringah, which he describes as a pivotal moment revealing the electorate’s appetite for alternatives to traditional party politics. Despite the promise of a “kinder, gentler” political era, Frydenberg portrays his personal political experience as a “miserable episode” punctuated by hostility and divisiveness.
Additional incidents reflect the fractious nature of contemporary campaigns in Kooyong. Frydenberg shares video footage of a confrontation between Holmes a Court and Senator Jane Hume, a fellow Liberal, outside a Melbourne pre-polling booth, illustrating ongoing tensions. Moreover, the understated role of grassroots manoeuvres is highlighted by the revelation that Peter Jordan, husband of Monique Ryan, was seen removing Liberal campaign signs during the 2025 election cycle—actions that appeared contrary to Ryan’s prior public commitment to fair campaigning.
Looking ahead, Frydenberg’s memoir is seen by some observers as a potential step toward re-engagement in politics, possibly seeking to reclaim Kooyong for the Liberal Party and challenge the influence of both Labor and One Nation. The book provides an insider’s perspective on the complexities of political life, including Frydenberg’s experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts to combat antisemitism following the October 7 attacks, and reflections on the shifting ideological battlegrounds in Australia’s parliament.