Tony Abbott’s former advisor, Andrew Hirst, tipped to be named Liberal Party director – ABC Online

Updated June 21, 2017 17:39:18

Tony Abbott's former senior adviser, Andrew Hirst, is shaping as the frontrunner in the race to become the next boss of the Liberal Party.

Several sources have confirmed that Mr Hirst, who served as Mr Abbott's director of communications and deputy chief of staff, is likely to be confirmed as the party's federal director on Friday.

Acting director Andrew Bragg was considered to be Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's preferred candidate.

But in what has been described as a "peace deal", Mr Turnbull has secured support for former NSW premier Nick Greiner to replace Richard Alston as the party's president.

With a federal election due in just under two years, it is understood the party favours Mr Hirst over Mr Bragg, given his lengthy campaign experience and institutional knowledge.

He has worked as an adviser to every Liberal leader since John Howard and served as communications director to the former director Tony Nutt, who some blame for the party's disastrous 2016 election campaign.

Others point the finger squarely at Mr Turnbull who, at best, was seen as a reluctant campaigner.

But Mr Hirst will take the helm at a difficult time for the party Labor controls most of the states and territories and, at a federal level, the Turnbull Government is battling stubbornly low opinion polls.

Then there is the money.

While the treasurer, Andrew Burnes, is understood to have turned the party's financial fortunes around, fundraising remains a major challenge.

One source likened the Coalition's campaign coffers to a "surf lifesaving club" and Labor's to a "professional AFL team".

Labor's major advantage is the union movement and left-wing groups like GetUp who can summon their army of supporters to attend rallies and campaign on key battleground issues including health and education.

Some of the Liberal party's grassroots supporters remain deeply sceptical about Mr Turnbull's political values.

Mr Hirst's challenge will be to placate them, ensuring the party's war machine is well-primed and well-staffed for the next federal election.

He will also need to recast the Liberal Party's campaign strategy as it confronts an increasingly volatile electorate.

Topics: liberals, federal-government, government-and-politics, australia

First posted June 21, 2017 16:39:25

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Tony Abbott's former advisor, Andrew Hirst, tipped to be named Liberal Party director - ABC Online