Hits keep coming for Liberals as party seeks revival
State and federal Liberals face a mission to restore trust in the party's brand after enduring setbacks on multiple fronts.
As the federal party picks itself off the canvas after a thumping election defeat, the hits keep coming in key states.
Predictions that Victoria would swing hard to the coalition on the back of anger at unpopular Labor premier Jacinta Allan proved wildly off the mark.
And the state Liberals on Friday again hit the headlines for the wrong reasons when former opposition leader John Pesutto was ordered to pay $2.3 million in costs after defaming first-term MP Moira Deeming.
The scale of the final bill has raised internal fears about Mr Pesutto's ability to pay, with MPs ineligible to sit in Victorian parliament if they declare bankruptcy.
Further north, the embattled NSW division of the party and a former state director are being sued over bungled council nominations that left more than 140 candidates off ballots in 2024.
The party missed the deadline to nominate candidates for local elections.
Those left off ballots included sitting councillors in party heartland such as Sydney's northern beaches, where Tony Abbott and Bronwyn Bishop enjoyed long reigns as federal MPs.
In South Australia, the Liberals are at long odds to return to government at the 2026 election after being reduced to 13 lower house seats.
And it's an even bleaker outlook in Western Australia where the state Liberals recently lost a third-straight election and face a battle to win power at the next poll.
Hopes of a nation-wide revival had been high in 2024 when Queensland's Liberal National Party and the Northern Territory's Country Liberal Party both won elections and the federal coalition led in the polls.
The Tasmanian Liberal government retained power in 2024 but the island state's premier Jeremy Rockliff has faced set backs since, including the loss of two senior ministers including his deputy premier, forcing a reshuffle.
Support for the party has plummeted among millennial and Gen Z voters, many of whom have turned to minor parties or independents.
At a federal level, the party hopes to win back female voters under the leadership of Sussan Ley.
"The number of women supporting us is declining and I want to rule the line under that," Ms Ley said after prevailing in a leadership contest.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
19 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
Albanese's protest at reporter shot by rubber bullet labelled ‘a bit much'
Sky News host James Morrow claims Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's reaction to a reporter hit by a rubber bullet is 'a bit much' after how the COVID-19 protests were handled under a Victorian Labor government.
Sky News AU
24 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek says millions of Australians to benefit from welfare payment changes as new measures announced
Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek has revealed sweeping measures in a bid to ease cost of living pressures, with millions of Australians soon set to receive a boost in welfare payments. A number of rates, limits and thresholds will see a 2.4 per cent increase to 'ensure they keep pace' with cost of living, the minister has announced. Households collecting Family Tax Benefit Part and Part B payments will be among those covered, with rates to increase to up to $295.82 every fortnight. More Australians will also be eligible for Paid Parental Leave (PPL), with income limit adjustments among the new measures coming into effect next month. Ms Plibersek has claimed over 2.4 million people who receive welfare payments will be aided by the changes. 'Indexation keeps payment rates and thresholds in line with the wider economy and makes sure our social security system remains a safety net that Australians can rely on,' a statement from the minister's office said. . More Australians will also be eligible for Paid Parental Leave (PPL) with income limits among the new measures. People earning up to $180,007 annually can receive PPL under the new measures, as well as families with a taxable income of up to $373,094 per year. Ms Plibersek has insisted that tackling cost of living pressures is a top priority for the Albanese government. 'From 1 July, millions of recipients of social security payments will see more money in their bank accounts,' the Social Services Minister said in the announcement. 'Payments like the Family Tax Benefit help cover the costs of raising children for many Australian families, and indexation is a crucial way to help families when cost of living rises. 'Combined with Labor's tax cuts, increased wages, cheaper medicines, cuts to student debt, and energy bill relief, Labor is making a real difference to help ease the cost of living.' Some of the other changes coming into effect on July 1 include increases to asset limits for JobSeeker Payment, Austudy, and Youth Allowance recipients. The Albanese government came under heavy criticism over its efforts to mitigate of cost of living pressures in the lead-up to this year's federal election, and Institute of Public Affairs' Colleen Harkin on Tuesday blasted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for his 'negligence' in addressing the issue when he spoke at the National Press Club earlier that day. 'There was a lot of lofty motherhood statements. It was like reading a Hallmark gift card, really,' Ms Harkin told Sky News Host Rita Panahi regarding the speech. '...But the problem with this is it's not ambition, it's actually negligence, because the real difference that he can make in people's lives is the coast of living and their energy bills.'
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Embattled premier's request for early election granted
Tasmanians will go to the polls on July 19 after the embattled Liberal premier's request for an early election was granted. Jeremy Rockliff returned to Government House on Wednesday evening to meet with Governor Barbara Baker, six days after he lost the confidence of the parliament. In a statement after the meeting, Ms Baker confirmed she would dissolve parliament and issue the writ for an election to be held on July 19. It will be the fourth state election in seven years after early polls were also held in 2021 and 2024. "Notwithstanding the recent 2024 election, the public interest in avoiding the cost of another election and the prevailing public mood against holding an election, I have granted Premier Rockliff a dissolution," Ms Baker said in the statement. "I make this grant because I am satisfied that there is no real possibility that an alternative government can be formed." Mr Rockliff has resisted pressure to resign and insisted the backing of his partyroom remains solid, despite reports former senator Eric Abetz and ex-deputy premier Michael Ferguson were willing to be leader. "I have a commitment from my team to support me as leader and I am not going anywhere," he said earlier on Wednesday. Mr Rockliff denied he was "driven by ego" in not standing aside from leading the minority government. Liberal MP Jacquie Petrusma didn't directly answer when asked if the party was doing numbers to roll Mr Rockliff. "The premier is a fantastic leader and he has 100 per cent support of the PLP (parliamentary Liberal Party)," she said. Ms Baker also met Labor leader Dean Winter on Wednesday afternoon. Labor, which has just 10 of 35 lower-house seats, had said it would not look to form a minority government with the Greens. "In that meeting (with the governor) I reiterated my position that Labor will not be doing a deal with the Greens," Mr Winter said. Labor, whose no-confidence motion against Mr Rockliff was backed by the Greens and three crossbench independents, had called on the premier to step down. "We've gotten to this point because of Jeremy Rockliff and his refusal to resign," Labor MP Shane Broad said. "I come from a farm and no matter how much you love that old sheep dog, if you can't round up sheep anymore it's time to get a new one." Mr Rockliff claimed the no-confidence motion was a deceptive power grab, while Labor says it was because of the Liberals' poor budget and project mismanagement. The premier took a crack at Mr Winter for failing to "front up" and hold a press conference on Wednesday. The Liberals had already appeared to be in fully fledged campaign mode, visiting a hospital to announce a four-year elective surgery plan. They were returned to power in March 2024, winning 14 seats and cobbling together enough support from the crossbench to govern. Tasmanians will go to the polls on July 19 after the embattled Liberal premier's request for an early election was granted. Jeremy Rockliff returned to Government House on Wednesday evening to meet with Governor Barbara Baker, six days after he lost the confidence of the parliament. In a statement after the meeting, Ms Baker confirmed she would dissolve parliament and issue the writ for an election to be held on July 19. It will be the fourth state election in seven years after early polls were also held in 2021 and 2024. "Notwithstanding the recent 2024 election, the public interest in avoiding the cost of another election and the prevailing public mood against holding an election, I have granted Premier Rockliff a dissolution," Ms Baker said in the statement. "I make this grant because I am satisfied that there is no real possibility that an alternative government can be formed." Mr Rockliff has resisted pressure to resign and insisted the backing of his partyroom remains solid, despite reports former senator Eric Abetz and ex-deputy premier Michael Ferguson were willing to be leader. "I have a commitment from my team to support me as leader and I am not going anywhere," he said earlier on Wednesday. Mr Rockliff denied he was "driven by ego" in not standing aside from leading the minority government. Liberal MP Jacquie Petrusma didn't directly answer when asked if the party was doing numbers to roll Mr Rockliff. "The premier is a fantastic leader and he has 100 per cent support of the PLP (parliamentary Liberal Party)," she said. Ms Baker also met Labor leader Dean Winter on Wednesday afternoon. Labor, which has just 10 of 35 lower-house seats, had said it would not look to form a minority government with the Greens. "In that meeting (with the governor) I reiterated my position that Labor will not be doing a deal with the Greens," Mr Winter said. Labor, whose no-confidence motion against Mr Rockliff was backed by the Greens and three crossbench independents, had called on the premier to step down. "We've gotten to this point because of Jeremy Rockliff and his refusal to resign," Labor MP Shane Broad said. "I come from a farm and no matter how much you love that old sheep dog, if you can't round up sheep anymore it's time to get a new one." Mr Rockliff claimed the no-confidence motion was a deceptive power grab, while Labor says it was because of the Liberals' poor budget and project mismanagement. The premier took a crack at Mr Winter for failing to "front up" and hold a press conference on Wednesday. The Liberals had already appeared to be in fully fledged campaign mode, visiting a hospital to announce a four-year elective surgery plan. They were returned to power in March 2024, winning 14 seats and cobbling together enough support from the crossbench to govern. Tasmanians will go to the polls on July 19 after the embattled Liberal premier's request for an early election was granted. Jeremy Rockliff returned to Government House on Wednesday evening to meet with Governor Barbara Baker, six days after he lost the confidence of the parliament. In a statement after the meeting, Ms Baker confirmed she would dissolve parliament and issue the writ for an election to be held on July 19. It will be the fourth state election in seven years after early polls were also held in 2021 and 2024. "Notwithstanding the recent 2024 election, the public interest in avoiding the cost of another election and the prevailing public mood against holding an election, I have granted Premier Rockliff a dissolution," Ms Baker said in the statement. "I make this grant because I am satisfied that there is no real possibility that an alternative government can be formed." Mr Rockliff has resisted pressure to resign and insisted the backing of his partyroom remains solid, despite reports former senator Eric Abetz and ex-deputy premier Michael Ferguson were willing to be leader. "I have a commitment from my team to support me as leader and I am not going anywhere," he said earlier on Wednesday. Mr Rockliff denied he was "driven by ego" in not standing aside from leading the minority government. Liberal MP Jacquie Petrusma didn't directly answer when asked if the party was doing numbers to roll Mr Rockliff. "The premier is a fantastic leader and he has 100 per cent support of the PLP (parliamentary Liberal Party)," she said. Ms Baker also met Labor leader Dean Winter on Wednesday afternoon. Labor, which has just 10 of 35 lower-house seats, had said it would not look to form a minority government with the Greens. "In that meeting (with the governor) I reiterated my position that Labor will not be doing a deal with the Greens," Mr Winter said. Labor, whose no-confidence motion against Mr Rockliff was backed by the Greens and three crossbench independents, had called on the premier to step down. "We've gotten to this point because of Jeremy Rockliff and his refusal to resign," Labor MP Shane Broad said. "I come from a farm and no matter how much you love that old sheep dog, if you can't round up sheep anymore it's time to get a new one." Mr Rockliff claimed the no-confidence motion was a deceptive power grab, while Labor says it was because of the Liberals' poor budget and project mismanagement. The premier took a crack at Mr Winter for failing to "front up" and hold a press conference on Wednesday. The Liberals had already appeared to be in fully fledged campaign mode, visiting a hospital to announce a four-year elective surgery plan. They were returned to power in March 2024, winning 14 seats and cobbling together enough support from the crossbench to govern. Tasmanians will go to the polls on July 19 after the embattled Liberal premier's request for an early election was granted. Jeremy Rockliff returned to Government House on Wednesday evening to meet with Governor Barbara Baker, six days after he lost the confidence of the parliament. In a statement after the meeting, Ms Baker confirmed she would dissolve parliament and issue the writ for an election to be held on July 19. It will be the fourth state election in seven years after early polls were also held in 2021 and 2024. "Notwithstanding the recent 2024 election, the public interest in avoiding the cost of another election and the prevailing public mood against holding an election, I have granted Premier Rockliff a dissolution," Ms Baker said in the statement. "I make this grant because I am satisfied that there is no real possibility that an alternative government can be formed." Mr Rockliff has resisted pressure to resign and insisted the backing of his partyroom remains solid, despite reports former senator Eric Abetz and ex-deputy premier Michael Ferguson were willing to be leader. "I have a commitment from my team to support me as leader and I am not going anywhere," he said earlier on Wednesday. Mr Rockliff denied he was "driven by ego" in not standing aside from leading the minority government. Liberal MP Jacquie Petrusma didn't directly answer when asked if the party was doing numbers to roll Mr Rockliff. "The premier is a fantastic leader and he has 100 per cent support of the PLP (parliamentary Liberal Party)," she said. Ms Baker also met Labor leader Dean Winter on Wednesday afternoon. Labor, which has just 10 of 35 lower-house seats, had said it would not look to form a minority government with the Greens. "In that meeting (with the governor) I reiterated my position that Labor will not be doing a deal with the Greens," Mr Winter said. Labor, whose no-confidence motion against Mr Rockliff was backed by the Greens and three crossbench independents, had called on the premier to step down. "We've gotten to this point because of Jeremy Rockliff and his refusal to resign," Labor MP Shane Broad said. "I come from a farm and no matter how much you love that old sheep dog, if you can't round up sheep anymore it's time to get a new one." Mr Rockliff claimed the no-confidence motion was a deceptive power grab, while Labor says it was because of the Liberals' poor budget and project mismanagement. The premier took a crack at Mr Winter for failing to "front up" and hold a press conference on Wednesday. The Liberals had already appeared to be in fully fledged campaign mode, visiting a hospital to announce a four-year elective surgery plan. They were returned to power in March 2024, winning 14 seats and cobbling together enough support from the crossbench to govern.
