Teena McQueen, Former Liberal Party Vice President, Dies at 64

Teena McQueen, who served as federal vice president of the Liberal Party of Australia from 2017 to 2023, died on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, following a short and severe medical condition. Her family confirmed the death.

Ms. McQueen had defected to Pauline Hanson's One Nation party in May 2024 after decades as a member of the Liberal Party.

Background and Political Career

Ms. McQueen was a long-standing branch activist on the New South Wales Central Coast. She was a delegate to the federal council before serving as federal vice president of the Liberal Party from 2017 to 2023.

In May 2024, Ms. McQueen announced she was leaving the Liberal Party to join One Nation. She stated at the time that she had considered leaving the Liberal Party for 18 months, citing what she described as a "leftward creep" within the party and expressing a desire to help One Nation.

Ms. McQueen was a regular contributor to Sky News Australia. In recent years, she visited former US President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort with businesswoman Gina Rinehart.

Reactions

Several political figures commented on her death.

Pauline Hanson, One Nation leader: Described Ms. McQueen as "a woman full of life" and stated, "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."

Tony Abbott, former Prime Minister: Said he had "lost a good friend and the Liberal Party has lost a fine servant," adding that he would miss her. Abbott noted her advocacy for internal party democracy and policies in the tradition of former leaders Robert Menzies and John Howard.

Julian Leeser, shadow education minister: Expressed sadness and described Ms. McQueen as a "big figure on the central coast and the Liberal Party."

Kellie Sloane, NSW Opposition Leader: Called Ms. McQueen a "force of nature in Australian politics" and offered condolences.

Barnaby Joyce, One Nation MP: Expressed "great surprise and incredible sadness" at her passing, stating, "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."