One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce has called on Josh Frydenberg to “cut the BS” amid speculation his former Coalition colleague is plotting to seize the reins of the poll-plunging Liberal Party in a political comeback.
Mr Frydenberg – who served as treasurer in the Morrison government – has hinted he could return to politics since regaining public attention after last year’s Bondi Beach terror attack.
In an interview on Monday night, the moderate from Victoria said the Liberals needed “better leadership” to arrest One Nation’s surge.
“The Liberal Party is in a low ebb,” Mr Frydenberg told News24.
“But we need, for our country’s sake, better leadership than we’ve had to date.”
However, Mr Frydenberg said he was not at the point of declaring his candidacy in the 2028 federal election.
Mr Joyce – who was deputy prime minister when Mr Frydenberg was treasurer – said on Tuesday he saw the interview, quipping there was “not much to gain from” it.
“Josh, he’s popping up like an illegal smoke shop – very bad for Angus Taylor’s health,” he said.
“And … Josh, we’ve all played the game, mate. Like, we know what you’re up to.
“You want to be the leader of the Coalition, come back, and you’re setting the groundwork up now.
“Let’s cut the BS, mate. We can all see through this.”
The prospect of Mr Frydenberg’s return comes as the Liberal Party’s primary vote hovers at historic lows while One Nation collects disenfranchised conservatives.
Angus Taylor has vowed to rebuild trust in the party and broader Coalition since replacing Sussan Ley as leader but has struggled to stop the bleed.
The Opposition Leader said on Monday he welcomed “every Liberal who cares about the future of our nation”.
“And I tell you, I am seeing a flood of support when I go to cafes and restaurants and construction businesses and building businesses around this country, a flood support for our plan to fix the economy and protect our way of life, and I’m sure Josh will be out there supporting it, too,” Mr Taylor said.
Mr Frydenberg lost his inner-east Melbourne seat of Kooyong in the 2022 federal election, defeated by independent MP Monique Ryan in the so-called teal wave.