‘Gave Australians $1 trillion of debt’: Labor MP Patrick Gorman teases Josh Frydenberg amid talk of political comeback

Labor’s Patrick Gorman has mocked Josh Frydenberg’s record as treasurer amid speculation he could mount a political comeback through a by-election.

On Thursday former minister Alan Tudge formally resigned from his Melbourne seat of Aston, which is held by the Liberals on a margin of 2.8 per cent.

His departure from Parliament next week has triggered a by-election with many instantly speculating that Mr Frydenberg will nominate for the seat.

Shortly after reports surfaced of a potential Frydenberg comeback, Mr Gorman teased that he would “come back to finish the job” by adding even more debt.

“We have seen in reports today is that we might be having a member of the shadow executive walk out the door and be replaced by former treasurer Frydenberg,” Mr Gorman told the House.

“The former member who gave Australians $1 trillion of debt is now going to come back to finish the job – I don’t know, try and add an extra $2 trillion of debt?”

Mr Frydenberg was defeated in Kooyong at last May’s Federal Election by Climate-200 backed independent Monique Ryan, a seat near Aston which he had held since 2010.

He currently works in the private sector as a Senior Regional Adviser for Asia Pacific at Goldman Sachs.

Mr Gorman continued to rubbish the “highest taxing” treasurer’s landmark wage subsidy program introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We know that, however much he spent, we definitely know there was billions of dollars wasted on JobKeeper through poor policy design,” he said.

“It is the talent that is being brought back into this place, and indeed, a record from the former member for Kooyong who may be the new member for Aston, the highest-taxing treasurer in Australia’s history.

“And I note that when I say the highest-taxing treasurer in Australia’s history I am not being pulled up on accuracy … because it is a fact.”

Chief News Anchor Kieran Gilbert has however cast doubt on a political comeback at this stage for Mr Frydenberg via a by-election in the outer-Melbourne electorate.

“My understanding is Josh Frydenberg will not be running of the by-election in Aston,” he said.

“I mentioned earlier, my understanding was the former treasurer was enjoying the Goldman Sachs role he is in.

“A more relaxed lifestyle with his family and that he was going to make a judgement next year in terms of Kooyong. My understanding is that is still the timeframe.

“He’s not going to run in Aston, according to a well-placed source.”

Mr Tudge has held the once safe seat since 2010 and has been the minister for human services, education, and citizenship and multicultural affairs.

The Prime Minister will determine when the by-election occurs, likely in the next two to three months.