Frydenberg accuses Ryan's campaign of personal attacks as he eyes Kooyong comeback
Former Liberal treasurer Josh Frydenberg claims Monique Ryan’s supporters engaged in personal abuse during the 2022 election, while Ryan says she remains focused on local issues.
Josh Frydenberg, former Liberal treasurer, is positioning himself for a possible challenge to Monique Ryan in the Kooyong electorate and has accused Ryan’s supporters of personal abuse during the 2022 campaign, mentioning vandalised signs and intimidation of his staff. In his forthcoming book, Frydenberg also criticized the tone of the campaign, suggesting it portrayed his side as morally inferior. Ryan rejected the allegations, stating her focus has always been on the community’s concerns and the shortcomings of the previous government, and expressed gratitude to her volunteers.
The controversy unfolds amid warnings from security agencies about a volatile political climate and a history of threats against MPs. Additional tensions have arisen from incidents involving extremist individuals targeting Ryan at public events. Liberal colleagues, including Andrew Bragg and Angie Bell, have voiced support for Frydenberg’s return to politics.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage frames the story around Frydenberg’s accusations of personal attacks and moral criticism in the 2022 campaign, while centrist coverage frames it as a live-update on Frydenberg’s hinted political comeback and Ryan’s readiness to fight, using a neutral tone.
LEFT
Frames the story as a dispute over alleged personal attacks and moral criticism in the previous campaign
CENTER
Frames the story as a live update on a potential political comeback and the ensuing contest
The left emphasises
- accuses Ryan’s supporters of personal abuse
- mentions vandalised signs and intimidation of staff
- highlights Frydenberg’s criticism of the campaign’s tone as portraying his side as morally inferior
