Tony Abbott to step down from Advance role when elected Liberal party federal president

<p>Liberal insiders concerned former PM could pull party even further to the right by appointing Advance allies to prominent positions</p><ul><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>Tony Abbott will step down from his role advising the rightwing advocacy group, Advance, as the conservative ideologue prepares for his <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/may/22/tony-abbott-new-liberal-party-president">high-profile role as the Liberal party’s new federal president</a>.</p><p>Liberal insiders have also shared concerns Abbott is considering Advance’s director, Matthew Sheahan, or Steve Doyle – who runs Whitestone Strategic, the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/oct/13/revealed-the-secretive-rightwing-firm-providing-clout-for-voice-no-campaign">consultancy group that supports its operations</a> – to fill the vacant federal director position, warning it could dismantle what is left of the party’s identity.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/may/28/tony-abbott-to-step-down-from-advance-role-when-elected-liberal-party-federal-president">Continue reading...</a>