Former Treasurer Josh Frydenberg Rules Out Bid to Reclaim Kooyong Pre-selection

Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg has quashed speculations of a potential campaign to reclaim his former federal seat of Kooyong as he announced he will not be contesting the next election, respecting the pre-selection of Amelia Hamer for the Liberals in the electorate.

The controversy arose after a proposal to redraw the boundaries of Kooyong, potentially facilitating the return of the Liberals to the seat currently held by independent Monique Ryan.

In a statement, Frydenberg expressed his commitment to supporting the Liberal Party and the existing candidate for Kooyong, Amelia Hamer, emphasizing that he is not rushing back into politics.

Amelia Hamer, who secured pre-selection for Kooyong earlier this year, affirmed that the constituents sought genuine representation and a candidate focused on their needs, highlighting her dedication to the electorate.

Despite the internal divisions within the Liberals over the potential return of Frydenberg, with some backing his reentry as an ‘absolute asset’ including former minister Karen Andrews, others like Shadow Finance Minister Jane Hume criticized the idea as ‘crazy’ and emphasized the importance of upholding the pre-selection of Amelia Hamer.

The draft redistribution plan, which included the merger of neighboring electorates like Higgins, prompted discussions about the possibility of Frydenberg and former MP Katie Allen contesting different seats.

Charlotte Mortlock, the founder of the Hilma’s Network advocating for Liberal women, voiced concerns over potentially sidelining a female candidate for Frydenberg, highlighting the importance of gender equality within the party.

Despite differing opinions within the party, Frydenberg’s announcement not to pursue the Kooyong pre-selection sets a definitive stance on his political future, leaving the Victorian Liberals to focus on preparing for the upcoming election with the current candidates in place.