Tony Abbott to become new Liberal Party president in former PM’s return to political frontlines

Tony Abbott will become the new federal Liberal party president in a return to the political frontlines for the conservative former prime minister. Abbott was the only nominee for the presidency after the other contender – former foreign minister Alexander Downer – chose to instead run for one of the vice-president’s positions. The election of Abbott to the party’s top administrative role will be confirmed at the Liberal Party’s federal council meeting in Melbourne next weekend. …