How Peta Credlin could be the Liberals’ secret weapon against Labor and One Nation – even if some in her own party can’t stand her: PVO

The opinion piece argues that the Liberal Party should recruit Peta Credlin, find her a winnable House of Representatives seat and consider her for leader. It presents her as a possible challenger to both Labor and One Nation, at a time when the Coalition is struggling in the polls and its leadership options appear unsettled.

Credlin was Tony Abbott’s chief of staff and has hosted a television programme since 2017. The article credits her with helping Abbott become a successful opposition leader, and says her conservative views could appeal to voters considering One Nation; it also points to her record on same-sex marriage as evidence of a more nuanced side. It acknowledges criticism that she wielded too much influence in the Abbott government, arguing that as leader she would need to delegate and listen to colleagues. The poll cited puts One Nation at 28 per cent, Labor at 27 per cent and the Coalition at 21 per cent.