Tony Abbott sent in to woo back lost Liberals in hotly contested seat

After attempting to prevent Gilmore Liberals from defecting to One Nation, Tony Abbott has now personally visited the electorate to rally disaffected party members. The federal Liberal president believes his efforts have convinced some to remain loyal, as senior local Liberals acknowledge the need to rebuild grassroots support and reconnect with voters. Abbott emphasized that in a must-win seat like Gilmore, the party must field a candidate this year.

Former Gilmore MP Jo Gash, who retired in 2013, praised Abbott's visit, stating it provided the necessary boost for local Liberals. She emphasized the need to improve the party's image and appealed to conservative voters considering One Nation. Gash noted that the party's failure to listen to voters and address their concerns contributed to the defections.

The Liberal primary vote in Gilmore fell by 7.6 percentage points to 34.5 percent in the 2019 federal election, while Labor increased its two-party preferred margin from 0.2 percent to 5.1 percent. In June, former Gilmore Liberal conference vice-president Oliver Griffiths said he had abandoned the party for One Nation, citing struggles with Liberal branches attracting eight members for a valid meeting.

A local Liberal Party member confirmed to the ABC that membership was around 300, with many being long-term, established members. Gash, who represented Gilmore from 1996 until 2013, understood the frustration driving some members away, attributing it to disillusionment, disappointment, anger, and upset. She emphasized that the party had not been clear with its people or listened to their issues.

Abbott acknowledged the party's period of waning influence and aimed to help bring about a recovery. He appealed to conservative voters considering One Nation, arguing that the Coalition remained their best prospect of changing the federal government. Abbott confidently stated that Gilmore was definitely winnable and that it had been a Liberal seat before, potentially becoming one again.