Labor has won the 2025 federal election and Peter Dutton has lost his seat
Labor has won the federal election and will form government while Opposition leader Peter Dutton has lost his Queensland seat. Analysts from the Redbridge Group have predicted a Labor majority and said the party is ahead in 17 to 18 seats that are currently held by Liberal candidates. Redbridge Group director Simon Welsh said: "I really think we're looking, on this trend, at a likely Labor majority," adding that the main question was how big the majority would be. "If Labor only wins 10 of them — that's a considerable majority — we're almost talking about a landslide here if they can maintain that trend."
Accent Research principal Shaun Ratcliff said they were seeing big swings against the Coalition in Brisbane metropolitan seats like Forde, Petrie and Brisbane. "So, while we might see some seats come back a bit ... as the count moves along, it's really hard to see the result, the headline result, come backwards in a big way." Almost two-thirds of primary votes and just over half of the two-party preferred votes have been tallied, Ratcliff said.
Dutton, who has become the first Opposition leader to lose their seat in a federal election, conceded defeat shortly after 9.30pm (AEST). "Tonight's not the night that we wanted for the Liberal Party or ... indeed, for our country. But we worked hard every day over the course of the last three years to do our best."
Dutton said: "We didn't do well enough during this campaign. That much is obvious tonight." He also said he accepted "full responsibility" for that and congratulated Albanese in his address. Dickson has been won by Labor's Ali France, who had made two previous runs in the electorate before 2025. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said on ABC TV that France was a strong candidate, and that the Coalition lost the battle on health and cost of living policy "and Peter Dutton trailed away as the campaign rolled on".
Ratcliff said Labor was looking at winning around 80-something seats — "a very comfortable majority". He said the Labor Party had taken the fight to what were traditionally very safe Liberal party seats, such as Berowra on Sydney's upper north shore. The seat was originally thought to be a Liberal/independent contest but now there was "a good chance it'll be a Labor/Liberal contest", he said.
It showed just "what sort of trouble the Liberal party is in" across metropolitan Australia, he said. "They're in trouble in most of their seats in Melbourne and most of their seats in Sydney, and they're not getting the swings towards them they'd hope to get in the outer suburbs, and even in the regions," Ratcliff said. "We're not seeing a lot of swings to the Coalition anywhere — most of the swings we're seeing are away from them at this point." A lone bright spot for the Liberals was Opposition immigration spokesperson Dan Tehan, who looked to have seen off a challenge from independent Alex Dyson in his regional Victorian seat of Wannon, with a swing towards him of 0.6 per cent. The Liberals were set for a wipeout in Tasmania with the loss of Bass and Braddon, and faced defeat in their last seat in metropolitan Adelaide, with Sturt MP James Stevens suffering a 7.5 per cent swing against him. This is a developing story and this article will be updated. Additional reporting from the Australian Associated Press. Visit the to access articles, podcasts and videos from SBS News, NITV and our teams covering more than 60 languages.
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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Ex-premier tips Liberal leadership change to avoid poll
Embattled premier Jeremy Rockliff has vowed to fight and win a snap election, but speculation is growing his Tasmanian Liberal colleagues will deny him the chance. Tasmania's lower house passed a motion of no confidence in Mr Rockliff on Thursday, just 15 months into the minority government's four-year term. The vote was an episode in spiralling political brinkmanship, with the premier warning opposition leader Dean Winter he would advise for an early election if his motion succeeded. The prevailing political wisdom is the Rockliff government will lose an election, with veteran Liberal political operative Brad Stansfield saying they would be "annihilated" in a winter campaign. However, parliament's dissolution is not due until after Tuesday, given the need to pass a stop-gap budget bill before the election campaign. The delay across the King's Birthday long weekend gives the 17 members of the Liberal party room - including 14 who will put their seats at risk in a campaign - plenty of time to rethink their support for Mr Rockliff. "It's probably 70 to 80 per cent likely that either over the weekend or following the appropriation bill going through on Tuesday, Jeremy won't be leader," former premier David Bartlett told AAP. "It won't be a coup. It will be a smooth transition of power to a new leader and Jeremy will be under all sorts of pressure from internal Liberal party people to make that happen. "I'm not even convinced Jeremy Rockliff wants to go to another election. He'd probably rather retire to the farm." Mr Bartlett led a Labor government between 2008-2011, including the 2010 election which required him - like Mr Rockliff after the 2024 poll - to govern in minority. He said there were no shortage of options for a new leader, who would need to organise support from enough crossbenchers to stave off an election. "Eric Abetz is ambitious, Michael Ferguson still has a baton in the knapsack, Guy Barnett is ambitious and Madeleine Ogilvie is ambitious," he said. Mr Stansfield, who has advised the Liberals to four straight election wins, said the Liberals' charge to an election was "lemming-like behaviour". "They have willingly chosen to go to their own political execution rather than change their policies or change their leader in order to stay in power," he told the FontCast podcast. Former Liberal Premier Will Hodgman attacked the vote of no confidence, saying it was "politically reckless, and seriously damaging to Tasmania's reputation" on social media. AAP has spoken with multiple past and present MPs and advisers, who have confirmed Liberal MPs are privately canvassing options to topple Mr Rockliff and avoid an election. Mr Stansfield - who confirmed dissenting voices in the partyroom over the election position - said Mr Rockliff's position was secure. "The die is cast. They have chosen to follow their leader to an election that they will lose," he said. Liberal senator for Tasmania Jonno Duniam was incredulous about the leadership speculation. "They could choose to change leader - I'm not a part of that party room, I'm not going to tell them what to do," he told the ABC. "This is nuts that we're going to an election." Mr Rockliff on Friday travelled to his home region of the north-west coast, the same community which experienced the deaths of six children in a 2021 bouncy castle tragedy. He opted against a public appearance, given it came on the same day a verdict was finally reached on workplace health and safety failings behind the incident. "Today politics must be put aside. Another heart wrenching day, as we relive the trauma of the Hillcrest tragedy," he posted on social media. After losing the no-confidence vote, Mr Rockliff gave an emotional address to parliament where he revealed he fought off internal opponents to stand by the billion-dollar Hobart waterfront stadium which would house a Tasmanian AFL team - but is unpopular with voters. "I've been advised by all the hard-heads in my party not to go down that track. Why? Because it's bad for votes," he said. "Well, I've always said 'stuff votes' ... I'll say it for the stadium for as long as I damn well live, because I believe in it." Embattled premier Jeremy Rockliff has vowed to fight and win a snap election, but speculation is growing his Tasmanian Liberal colleagues will deny him the chance. Tasmania's lower house passed a motion of no confidence in Mr Rockliff on Thursday, just 15 months into the minority government's four-year term. The vote was an episode in spiralling political brinkmanship, with the premier warning opposition leader Dean Winter he would advise for an early election if his motion succeeded. The prevailing political wisdom is the Rockliff government will lose an election, with veteran Liberal political operative Brad Stansfield saying they would be "annihilated" in a winter campaign. However, parliament's dissolution is not due until after Tuesday, given the need to pass a stop-gap budget bill before the election campaign. The delay across the King's Birthday long weekend gives the 17 members of the Liberal party room - including 14 who will put their seats at risk in a campaign - plenty of time to rethink their support for Mr Rockliff. "It's probably 70 to 80 per cent likely that either over the weekend or following the appropriation bill going through on Tuesday, Jeremy won't be leader," former premier David Bartlett told AAP. "It won't be a coup. It will be a smooth transition of power to a new leader and Jeremy will be under all sorts of pressure from internal Liberal party people to make that happen. "I'm not even convinced Jeremy Rockliff wants to go to another election. He'd probably rather retire to the farm." Mr Bartlett led a Labor government between 2008-2011, including the 2010 election which required him - like Mr Rockliff after the 2024 poll - to govern in minority. He said there were no shortage of options for a new leader, who would need to organise support from enough crossbenchers to stave off an election. "Eric Abetz is ambitious, Michael Ferguson still has a baton in the knapsack, Guy Barnett is ambitious and Madeleine Ogilvie is ambitious," he said. Mr Stansfield, who has advised the Liberals to four straight election wins, said the Liberals' charge to an election was "lemming-like behaviour". "They have willingly chosen to go to their own political execution rather than change their policies or change their leader in order to stay in power," he told the FontCast podcast. Former Liberal Premier Will Hodgman attacked the vote of no confidence, saying it was "politically reckless, and seriously damaging to Tasmania's reputation" on social media. AAP has spoken with multiple past and present MPs and advisers, who have confirmed Liberal MPs are privately canvassing options to topple Mr Rockliff and avoid an election. Mr Stansfield - who confirmed dissenting voices in the partyroom over the election position - said Mr Rockliff's position was secure. "The die is cast. They have chosen to follow their leader to an election that they will lose," he said. Liberal senator for Tasmania Jonno Duniam was incredulous about the leadership speculation. "They could choose to change leader - I'm not a part of that party room, I'm not going to tell them what to do," he told the ABC. "This is nuts that we're going to an election." Mr Rockliff on Friday travelled to his home region of the north-west coast, the same community which experienced the deaths of six children in a 2021 bouncy castle tragedy. He opted against a public appearance, given it came on the same day a verdict was finally reached on workplace health and safety failings behind the incident. "Today politics must be put aside. Another heart wrenching day, as we relive the trauma of the Hillcrest tragedy," he posted on social media. After losing the no-confidence vote, Mr Rockliff gave an emotional address to parliament where he revealed he fought off internal opponents to stand by the billion-dollar Hobart waterfront stadium which would house a Tasmanian AFL team - but is unpopular with voters. "I've been advised by all the hard-heads in my party not to go down that track. Why? Because it's bad for votes," he said. "Well, I've always said 'stuff votes' ... I'll say it for the stadium for as long as I damn well live, because I believe in it." Embattled premier Jeremy Rockliff has vowed to fight and win a snap election, but speculation is growing his Tasmanian Liberal colleagues will deny him the chance. Tasmania's lower house passed a motion of no confidence in Mr Rockliff on Thursday, just 15 months into the minority government's four-year term. The vote was an episode in spiralling political brinkmanship, with the premier warning opposition leader Dean Winter he would advise for an early election if his motion succeeded. The prevailing political wisdom is the Rockliff government will lose an election, with veteran Liberal political operative Brad Stansfield saying they would be "annihilated" in a winter campaign. However, parliament's dissolution is not due until after Tuesday, given the need to pass a stop-gap budget bill before the election campaign. The delay across the King's Birthday long weekend gives the 17 members of the Liberal party room - including 14 who will put their seats at risk in a campaign - plenty of time to rethink their support for Mr Rockliff. "It's probably 70 to 80 per cent likely that either over the weekend or following the appropriation bill going through on Tuesday, Jeremy won't be leader," former premier David Bartlett told AAP. "It won't be a coup. It will be a smooth transition of power to a new leader and Jeremy will be under all sorts of pressure from internal Liberal party people to make that happen. "I'm not even convinced Jeremy Rockliff wants to go to another election. He'd probably rather retire to the farm." Mr Bartlett led a Labor government between 2008-2011, including the 2010 election which required him - like Mr Rockliff after the 2024 poll - to govern in minority. He said there were no shortage of options for a new leader, who would need to organise support from enough crossbenchers to stave off an election. "Eric Abetz is ambitious, Michael Ferguson still has a baton in the knapsack, Guy Barnett is ambitious and Madeleine Ogilvie is ambitious," he said. Mr Stansfield, who has advised the Liberals to four straight election wins, said the Liberals' charge to an election was "lemming-like behaviour". "They have willingly chosen to go to their own political execution rather than change their policies or change their leader in order to stay in power," he told the FontCast podcast. Former Liberal Premier Will Hodgman attacked the vote of no confidence, saying it was "politically reckless, and seriously damaging to Tasmania's reputation" on social media. AAP has spoken with multiple past and present MPs and advisers, who have confirmed Liberal MPs are privately canvassing options to topple Mr Rockliff and avoid an election. Mr Stansfield - who confirmed dissenting voices in the partyroom over the election position - said Mr Rockliff's position was secure. "The die is cast. They have chosen to follow their leader to an election that they will lose," he said. Liberal senator for Tasmania Jonno Duniam was incredulous about the leadership speculation. "They could choose to change leader - I'm not a part of that party room, I'm not going to tell them what to do," he told the ABC. "This is nuts that we're going to an election." Mr Rockliff on Friday travelled to his home region of the north-west coast, the same community which experienced the deaths of six children in a 2021 bouncy castle tragedy. He opted against a public appearance, given it came on the same day a verdict was finally reached on workplace health and safety failings behind the incident. "Today politics must be put aside. Another heart wrenching day, as we relive the trauma of the Hillcrest tragedy," he posted on social media. After losing the no-confidence vote, Mr Rockliff gave an emotional address to parliament where he revealed he fought off internal opponents to stand by the billion-dollar Hobart waterfront stadium which would house a Tasmanian AFL team - but is unpopular with voters. "I've been advised by all the hard-heads in my party not to go down that track. Why? Because it's bad for votes," he said. "Well, I've always said 'stuff votes' ... I'll say it for the stadium for as long as I damn well live, because I believe in it." Embattled premier Jeremy Rockliff has vowed to fight and win a snap election, but speculation is growing his Tasmanian Liberal colleagues will deny him the chance. Tasmania's lower house passed a motion of no confidence in Mr Rockliff on Thursday, just 15 months into the minority government's four-year term. The vote was an episode in spiralling political brinkmanship, with the premier warning opposition leader Dean Winter he would advise for an early election if his motion succeeded. The prevailing political wisdom is the Rockliff government will lose an election, with veteran Liberal political operative Brad Stansfield saying they would be "annihilated" in a winter campaign. However, parliament's dissolution is not due until after Tuesday, given the need to pass a stop-gap budget bill before the election campaign. The delay across the King's Birthday long weekend gives the 17 members of the Liberal party room - including 14 who will put their seats at risk in a campaign - plenty of time to rethink their support for Mr Rockliff. "It's probably 70 to 80 per cent likely that either over the weekend or following the appropriation bill going through on Tuesday, Jeremy won't be leader," former premier David Bartlett told AAP. "It won't be a coup. It will be a smooth transition of power to a new leader and Jeremy will be under all sorts of pressure from internal Liberal party people to make that happen. "I'm not even convinced Jeremy Rockliff wants to go to another election. He'd probably rather retire to the farm." Mr Bartlett led a Labor government between 2008-2011, including the 2010 election which required him - like Mr Rockliff after the 2024 poll - to govern in minority. He said there were no shortage of options for a new leader, who would need to organise support from enough crossbenchers to stave off an election. "Eric Abetz is ambitious, Michael Ferguson still has a baton in the knapsack, Guy Barnett is ambitious and Madeleine Ogilvie is ambitious," he said. Mr Stansfield, who has advised the Liberals to four straight election wins, said the Liberals' charge to an election was "lemming-like behaviour". "They have willingly chosen to go to their own political execution rather than change their policies or change their leader in order to stay in power," he told the FontCast podcast. Former Liberal Premier Will Hodgman attacked the vote of no confidence, saying it was "politically reckless, and seriously damaging to Tasmania's reputation" on social media. AAP has spoken with multiple past and present MPs and advisers, who have confirmed Liberal MPs are privately canvassing options to topple Mr Rockliff and avoid an election. Mr Stansfield - who confirmed dissenting voices in the partyroom over the election position - said Mr Rockliff's position was secure. "The die is cast. They have chosen to follow their leader to an election that they will lose," he said. Liberal senator for Tasmania Jonno Duniam was incredulous about the leadership speculation. "They could choose to change leader - I'm not a part of that party room, I'm not going to tell them what to do," he told the ABC. "This is nuts that we're going to an election." Mr Rockliff on Friday travelled to his home region of the north-west coast, the same community which experienced the deaths of six children in a 2021 bouncy castle tragedy. He opted against a public appearance, given it came on the same day a verdict was finally reached on workplace health and safety failings behind the incident. "Today politics must be put aside. Another heart wrenching day, as we relive the trauma of the Hillcrest tragedy," he posted on social media. After losing the no-confidence vote, Mr Rockliff gave an emotional address to parliament where he revealed he fought off internal opponents to stand by the billion-dollar Hobart waterfront stadium which would house a Tasmanian AFL team - but is unpopular with voters. "I've been advised by all the hard-heads in my party not to go down that track. Why? Because it's bad for votes," he said. "Well, I've always said 'stuff votes' ... I'll say it for the stadium for as long as I damn well live, because I believe in it."
The Age
2 hours ago
- The Age
Tasmania cannot beat the $1b cost of an AFL stadium
Alternative universe In what world did Peter Dutton think it was a good idea to appoint Alan Stockdale and Richard Alston as administrators to run the NSW division of the Liberal Party (″ Ley slams reverse quota talk ″, 5/6)? Having these two gentlemen lead any aspect of reforming the Liberal Party to ensure its relevance in the 21st century seems to be a great example of why the ″back on track″ slogan and strategy was such a disaster in the 2025 election campaign. Alex Donaldson, Hawthorn East See merit in reform Age chief political commentator James Massola puts forward a convincing argument as to why Jim Chalmers should cede some negotiating ground with the opposition on the question of superannuation reform (Comment, 6/6). However, the arguments put forward by the opposition on behalf of a small number of rich Australians have insufficient substance to be accepted. Superannuation is designed to provide a comfortable living in retirement. It is not a tax haven for a family farm nor expensive artwork. Adding to this point, it is disingenuous to project forward the impact of these changes 30 years, when an estimated 1.2 million people will have more than $3 million in their super accounts. As with our tax scales, adjustments will occur as time passes. It should also be noted that, Paul Keating in achieving significant economic reforms, didn't negotiate with John Howard. Rather, the opposition saw the merit of the Hawke-Keating reforms and didn't oppose them. If the opposition wants to seen to be more relevant, its challenge is to negotiate with Chalmers, not the other way around, and certainly not by pursuing a public relations campaign on behalf of rich Australians who just don't like paying tax. James Young, Mount Eliza Parental responsibility I can see that principals might be concerned about the introduction of disciplining students for out-of-school misbehaviours. Perhaps one way of reducing the need might be to tell boys and their parents when they start the school that this might occur if they misbehave in any serious way. And then, if the government follows the American tendency to give parents of such children's activities some legal responsibility for the child's behaviour, the number of such incidents might, over time, decrease. Anthony Whitmarsh, Bulleen Different in government In 2020, the ALP opposition decried – rightly – the Morrison government's 'gas-led recovery'. Now very securely in government the ALP has continued very strong support for the gas industry. Supporting the science and our environment was easy in opposition; in government apparently less so. The Woodside North West Shelf extension (until 2070) is outrageous. The emissions released will totally negate any reductions from our welcome but too slow transition to renewables. Peter Moore, Clifton Hill Not capital idea While there is some justification in increasing the tax on superannuation balances over $3million, there is absolutely no justification to attempting to tax 'unrealised' capital gains. It is inherently unfair. Those smug people who think that this is a tax on the super rich, be aware. Be really aware. Once it is established in the tax system that a such a tax is applicable where will it end? Why not tax share portfolios, investment properties, farms and, dare I say it, the family home. All may have unrealised capital gains and the principle has been established. Be aware. Be really aware. Vince Vozzo, Elwood History lesson The article ″ Trump fears Harvard's excellence ″ (5/6) outlining the critical value of universities, should be read in tandem with Cardinal Newman's The Idea of a University, first published in 1852. Though canonised as a saint in 2019, much of the Part 1 titled ″University Teaching″ focuses on the universal, secular issues confronting universities today. Elizabeth Douglas, Melbourne Silent epidemic Thank you for drawing attention to anorexia as the deadliest mental health condition (″ Anorexia a deadly illness but treatment is lagging ″, 5/6). It is unbelievable that more Australians die from this than they do from the road toll, and yet nothing seems to be being done to improve those terrible statistics. One can't help wonder if the disease wasn't perceived as something that just affects teenage girls, whether we would have a cure by now, instead of relying on 50-year-old treatments. It really is a silent epidemic that no one seems to acknowledge or care about. Anne Clisby, Alphington End UN veto power The US has blocked a resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza by exercising its veto power on the UN Security Council as a member of the permanent five big powers. If it's not the US doing this, then it's member Russia stopping effective UN support for Ukraine's struggle against its invader. The UN could be an effective force for world peace but it urgently needs reconstruction to become fully democratic, with the General Assembly the final decision maker and the veto power of the big five – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the US – rescinded. A large UN combat force is also required, not just to maintain peace after the blood is shed, like the current UN peacekeeping force, but one capable of rapid deployment to take the side of oppressed peoples like the Gazans and those heroically fighting imperialism like the Ukrainians. 'Peace through strength' based on collective security is why the UN was set up in 1945. Barry York, O'Connor, ACT How low can it go? Each day's news from Gaza leaves many of us wondering how the suffering could possibly worsen, yet it does. The recent deaths of 27 people waiting for food marks a horrifying new low. They were parents desperate to feed their children. What kind of war justifies the shooting of the starving? Beyond those points, Israel's leaders have stated their intent to destroy Gaza, and their conduct matches those words. If a state shows no willingness to limit its own violence, the world must act. Sanctions, an arms embargo, the deployment of peacekeepers, or even military intervention must be urgently considered. Waiting for a sudden outbreak of conscience is not a strategy. Zoe Kenny, St Kilda East No Israel is their plan Your correspondent (Letters, 6/6) says that the creation of a separate Palestinian state is the only solution to resolving Palestinian resentment at their plight. But he ignores the fact that this is precisely what they were offered not just in the 1947 UN Partition plan, but several times thereafter. That this has never been achieved has ultimately been because the leadership of one or more of Israel's neighbours until this day have only been prepared to accept a Palestinian state that was instead of, rather than alongside the Jewish state. Geoff Feren, St Kilda East Indefensible act Since when did starving innocent people to death become 'self-defence'? Jody Ellis, Thornbury Stakes are high No matter how much American beef hits these shores, I for one will never be persuaded to buy anything that comes from Trump's America (″ US beef on the table in Trump trade-off ″, 6/6). Dudley Chamberlain, Beaumaris English in express lane After reading student essays, a colleague remarked to me: 'I have to concede that English is changing, but not that fast.' James Goding, Princes Hill AND ANOTHER THING Politics Alan Stockdale's template for a Liberal Party preselection process: assertive women and non-assertive men to the left; short, assertive men with bushy eyebrows to the right. Bernd Rieve, Brighton There may be one dinosaur in the room (Letters, 6/6), but they are not extinct. There are still many circling the house, mouths gaping, roaring prehistoric ideas to the Liberal Party in what is a new world. Anne Carroll, Brighton East Alan Stockdale turns to the standard reply of those caught out by something they've said: 'It was just a joke.' Tim Durbridge, Brunswick I wish columnists like Shaun Carney (Comment, 5/6) would stop writing advice to the Liberal Party about how to recover support in the electorate. I'm very happy with their present position. Peter Hepburn, Claremont, Tas Trump/Musk Donald Trump and Elon Musk with their clashing outsized egos live in an echo chamber that must be cacophonous. Barrie Bales, Woorinen North The reality show between Donald Trump and Elon Musk ″Ugly and uglier' has finally gone to air after many previews. Take a seat and enjoy. Ruth Davis, Carrum Furthermore I withdrew $1000 from my account in the High St last week. There is no ATM. Later, I was staggered to find I was charged $2.50 for a ″staff-assisted service fee″. Have banks no shame? George Stockman, Berwick The AFL has made an overdue Tasmanian team dependent on building an expensive stadium. This has helped bring down the Tasmanian government. Malcolm McDonald, Burwood
Sydney Morning Herald
2 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
He stopped women joining the Australian Club. Now he's rewriting the NSW Liberals' rules
The Liberal elder who said women were 'now sufficiently assertive' has tasked retired Federal Court judge Peter Graham, KC, a key instigator in blocking female membership to the male-only Australian Club, with rewriting the rules governing the NSW party. Former Victorian treasurer Alan Stockdale, who is one of the administrators running the troubled NSW division of the party, has appointed Graham and one-time party deputy president Rhondda Vanzella to redraft the NSW Liberal constitution. Stockdale was widely criticised this week after he told the NSW Liberal Women's Council on Tuesday night that women were 'now sufficiently assertive that we should be giving some thought to whether we need to protect men's involvement'. Graham, meanwhile, was a driving force behind the campaign against allowing women to join the Australian Club, telling members in a 10-page missive in 2021 that the club was 'a place where you could get away from bossy women'. He also insisted women who might be considered for membership, 'were the club to be a mixed-sex club', would not be assessed for membership on 'the basis of their positions in business, politics or the law, medicine, dentistry, architecture etc or the arts or in agriculture. Loading 'Rather whether they were ladies, congenial, well-liked and honourable and whether they would respect confidences,' Graham wrote on May 31, 2021. Former leader Peter Dutton last year appointed Stockdale, former Victorian senator Richard Alston and one-time NSW MP Peta Seaton as administrators to run the NSW division after its spectacular failure to nominate 144 candidates for the local government elections. Since the administrators set up the constitution committee of Graham and Vanzella, its operations have been a closely guarded secret, according to several party members who are not authorised to speak publicly about the intervention.
