Josh Frydenberg is drawing renewed attention about a return to federal politics while promoting his memoir, "A Grateful Son." The reception among colleagues has been lukewarm, and Barnaby Joyce was blunt, calling a Frydenberg leadership push "very bad." John Howard made headlines at the event with a cheeky remark about his former treasurer's ambitions.

Some political commentators have thrown their support behind Frydenberg over other potential Liberal candidates, but no formal move has been confirmed. Frydenberg has also stood by the significant expenditure that occurred under his watch as treasurer, bringing budget decisions back into focus alongside the leadership speculation.