Abbott's 'very informal' role in right-wing lobby group

The chair of a conservative lobby group has denied allegations of a "Liberal Party stack", despite having senior party figures including a previous prime minister among the organisation's ranks.

Right-wing activist group Advance targeted Labor, the Greens and teal independents during the 2025 federal election campaign while receiving informal advice from former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott.

At least six current and former Advance operatives, including on the "No" voice to parliament campaign the organisation spearheaded, were also at one time Liberal operatives.

They included Jacinta Nampijinpa Price before she was elected as a coalition senator and Mr Abbott after his time in office.

Advance chair Vicki Dunne, appearing at a parliamentary inquiry into the 2025 federal election, denied allegations of political stacking within the lobby group.

"There isn't anything to see here," Ms Dunne said in response to repeated questioning on the matter from Greens senator Steph Hodgins-May on Friday.

"This is an organisation of grassroots people who come together for a variety of patriotic reasons which you may not agree with.

Mr Abbott was on an informal advisory board and provided advice on new ideas from Advance members, including to do with election campaigning.

There had been decreased consultation with board members as the organisation "matured", said Ms Dunne, a former Liberal ACT assembly member.

Mr Abbott stepped down from the position after being elected Liberal Party president earlier in 2026.

Advance has 662,000 people on its mailing list and more than 45,000 donors. Last financial year, it received more than $13 million in donations.

Billionaires Gina Rinehart and James Packer have been major donors to Advance, each giving the lobby group hundreds of thousands of dollars.