Former Liberal vice-president Teena McQueen dies after short illness
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Teena McQueen, former federal vice-president of Australia's Liberal Party, has died after a short illness.
- McQueen, who served from 2017 to 2023, recently defected to the One Nation party.
- Political figures, including former Prime Minister Tony Abbott and One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, have paid tribute to her service and dedication.
Teena McQueen, a prominent figure in Australian conservative politics and former federal vice-president of the Liberal Party, has passed away following a brief illness. Her family confirmed her death on Wednesday, marking the end of a dedicated career in party administration and political commentary.
We were on the same page when it came to Australian and conservative values, but on completely opposite pages when it came to cooking, sewing and gardening.
McQueen served as the Liberal Party's federal vice-president from 2017 to 2023. Earlier this year, she made a notable shift, defecting to the One Nation party. This move followed decades of commitment to the Liberal Party, where she was a long-standing branch activist and a delegate to the federal council.
Political colleagues remembered McQueen for her passion and commitment. Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott described her as a "good friend" and a "fine servant" of the Liberal Party, noting her extensive involvement at the grassroots level. Pauline Hanson, leader of One Nation, acknowledged their shared conservative values, humorously noting their differing views on domestic matters.
I will miss her as will her many friends.
One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce expressed shock and sadness at her passing, highlighting McQueen's dedication to her nation through her volunteer work within the political structure. In recent years, she also contributed commentary on Sky News and notably spent time at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort.
Teena dedicated herself to her nation via her passion for politics. Not as a politician but as the unpaid administration of the volunteer party structure.
Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.