Liberal leader open to quotas after election drubbing
Liberal leader Sussan Ley is open to introducing quotas for female candidates as young people and women abandon the party in droves.
The Liberals are searching for answers after being handed their worst-ever loss at the May election.
"Our party must pre-select more women in winnable seats so that we see more women in federal parliament," Ms Ley told the National Press Club on Wednesday.
"I'm agnostic on specific methods to make it happen but I am a zealot that it actually does happen."
Pre-election polling suggested the opposition would not form government but the scale of the defeat was a shock, leaving the Liberals without a leader and the coalition with less than half as many seats as Labor.
Policies such as an end to working-from-home arrangements for public servants and threats to cut jobs in government departments were blamed for the party's unpopularity with voters, alongside a perceived tendency to wade into culture wars.
But Ms Ley acknowledged the Liberal Party's issues ran deeper than one election result.
"What we have now is completely unacceptable. What we have done has not worked," she said.
"I'm open to any approach that will.
"I know we can do well and I'm optimistic about what we can do."
Under her watch, the coalition will become more constructive when Labor has good ideas, but remain critical of its bad policies.
She also offered to collaborate with the government on issues such as domestic violence.
A "root and branch" review of the election defeat will also look at the party's broader performance and engagement with voters.
Ms Ley acknowledged her appointment to the coalition's top job represented a fresh approach, but there was still some way to go.
"Let's be honest and up front about last month's election. We didn't just lose - we got smashed," she said.
"The scale of that defeat - its size and significance - is not lost on me, nor any one of my parliamentary team sitting here today.
"We respect the election outcome with humility, we accept it with contrition and we must learn from it with conviction."
Ms Ley became the first Liberal leader to address the National Press Club since 2022 after her predecessor Peter Dutton snubbed the Canberra institution throughout his tenure.
While she has tried to push the party back towards the political centre, many of her moderate colleagues lost their seats at the election, leaving her leadership vulnerable for the next three years.
She also has to navigate the relationship with the Nationals after the long-term coalition partners split briefly during the fallout from the election defeat.
Liberal leader Sussan Ley is open to introducing quotas for female candidates as young people and women abandon the party in droves.
The Liberals are searching for answers after being handed their worst-ever loss at the May election.
"Our party must pre-select more women in winnable seats so that we see more women in federal parliament," Ms Ley told the National Press Club on Wednesday.
"I'm agnostic on specific methods to make it happen but I am a zealot that it actually does happen."
Pre-election polling suggested the opposition would not form government but the scale of the defeat was a shock, leaving the Liberals without a leader and the coalition with less than half as many seats as Labor.
Policies such as an end to working-from-home arrangements for public servants and threats to cut jobs in government departments were blamed for the party's unpopularity with voters, alongside a perceived tendency to wade into culture wars.
But Ms Ley acknowledged the Liberal Party's issues ran deeper than one election result.
"What we have now is completely unacceptable. What we have done has not worked," she said.
"I'm open to any approach that will.
"I know we can do well and I'm optimistic about what we can do."
Under her watch, the coalition will become more constructive when Labor has good ideas, but remain critical of its bad policies.
She also offered to collaborate with the government on issues such as domestic violence.
A "root and branch" review of the election defeat will also look at the party's broader performance and engagement with voters.
Ms Ley acknowledged her appointment to the coalition's top job represented a fresh approach, but there was still some way to go.
"Let's be honest and up front about last month's election. We didn't just lose - we got smashed," she said.
"The scale of that defeat - its size and significance - is not lost on me, nor any one of my parliamentary team sitting here today.
"We respect the election outcome with humility, we accept it with contrition and we must learn from it with conviction."
Ms Ley became the first Liberal leader to address the National Press Club since 2022 after her predecessor Peter Dutton snubbed the Canberra institution throughout his tenure.
While she has tried to push the party back towards the political centre, many of her moderate colleagues lost their seats at the election, leaving her leadership vulnerable for the next three years.
She also has to navigate the relationship with the Nationals after the long-term coalition partners split briefly during the fallout from the election defeat.
Liberal leader Sussan Ley is open to introducing quotas for female candidates as young people and women abandon the party in droves.
The Liberals are searching for answers after being handed their worst-ever loss at the May election.
"Our party must pre-select more women in winnable seats so that we see more women in federal parliament," Ms Ley told the National Press Club on Wednesday.
"I'm agnostic on specific methods to make it happen but I am a zealot that it actually does happen."
Pre-election polling suggested the opposition would not form government but the scale of the defeat was a shock, leaving the Liberals without a leader and the coalition with less than half as many seats as Labor.
Policies such as an end to working-from-home arrangements for public servants and threats to cut jobs in government departments were blamed for the party's unpopularity with voters, alongside a perceived tendency to wade into culture wars.
But Ms Ley acknowledged the Liberal Party's issues ran deeper than one election result.
"What we have now is completely unacceptable. What we have done has not worked," she said.
"I'm open to any approach that will.
"I know we can do well and I'm optimistic about what we can do."
Under her watch, the coalition will become more constructive when Labor has good ideas, but remain critical of its bad policies.
She also offered to collaborate with the government on issues such as domestic violence.
A "root and branch" review of the election defeat will also look at the party's broader performance and engagement with voters.
Ms Ley acknowledged her appointment to the coalition's top job represented a fresh approach, but there was still some way to go.
"Let's be honest and up front about last month's election. We didn't just lose - we got smashed," she said.
"The scale of that defeat - its size and significance - is not lost on me, nor any one of my parliamentary team sitting here today.
"We respect the election outcome with humility, we accept it with contrition and we must learn from it with conviction."
Ms Ley became the first Liberal leader to address the National Press Club since 2022 after her predecessor Peter Dutton snubbed the Canberra institution throughout his tenure.
While she has tried to push the party back towards the political centre, many of her moderate colleagues lost their seats at the election, leaving her leadership vulnerable for the next three years.
She also has to navigate the relationship with the Nationals after the long-term coalition partners split briefly during the fallout from the election defeat.
Liberal leader Sussan Ley is open to introducing quotas for female candidates as young people and women abandon the party in droves.
The Liberals are searching for answers after being handed their worst-ever loss at the May election.
"Our party must pre-select more women in winnable seats so that we see more women in federal parliament," Ms Ley told the National Press Club on Wednesday.
"I'm agnostic on specific methods to make it happen but I am a zealot that it actually does happen."
Pre-election polling suggested the opposition would not form government but the scale of the defeat was a shock, leaving the Liberals without a leader and the coalition with less than half as many seats as Labor.
Policies such as an end to working-from-home arrangements for public servants and threats to cut jobs in government departments were blamed for the party's unpopularity with voters, alongside a perceived tendency to wade into culture wars.
But Ms Ley acknowledged the Liberal Party's issues ran deeper than one election result.
"What we have now is completely unacceptable. What we have done has not worked," she said.
"I'm open to any approach that will.
"I know we can do well and I'm optimistic about what we can do."
Under her watch, the coalition will become more constructive when Labor has good ideas, but remain critical of its bad policies.
She also offered to collaborate with the government on issues such as domestic violence.
A "root and branch" review of the election defeat will also look at the party's broader performance and engagement with voters.
Ms Ley acknowledged her appointment to the coalition's top job represented a fresh approach, but there was still some way to go.
"Let's be honest and up front about last month's election. We didn't just lose - we got smashed," she said.
"The scale of that defeat - its size and significance - is not lost on me, nor any one of my parliamentary team sitting here today.
"We respect the election outcome with humility, we accept it with contrition and we must learn from it with conviction."
Ms Ley became the first Liberal leader to address the National Press Club since 2022 after her predecessor Peter Dutton snubbed the Canberra institution throughout his tenure.
While she has tried to push the party back towards the political centre, many of her moderate colleagues lost their seats at the election, leaving her leadership vulnerable for the next three years.
She also has to navigate the relationship with the Nationals after the long-term coalition partners split briefly during the fallout from the election defeat.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Australia's Iran fallout warning despite uneasy truce
Conflict between Iran and Israel will have consequences for Australia, even if a ceasefire holds, an expert warns. While the federal government has repeatedly called for diplomacy and peace, it differed from other US allies by supporting America's decision to join Israel's offensive and strike Iran. Concerns had been raised if the action was legal, making Australia's position on the strikes "worrying", regardless of whether a ceasefire held, analyst Jessie Moritz told AAP. "Given that the intelligence that Israel was operating under was not confirmed even by the US, that really raised the question of whether this was a legal war and whether this was breaking an international norm," the Australian National University Arab and Islamic studies lecturer said. "Breaking international norms is a huge problem because it allows our enemies to break that norm with us." The Labor government initially took a more neutral stance but backed the US bombings after the coalition came out in support first. Dr Moritz said the government's quick decision was concerning and drew comparisons to the events of 2003, where Australia joined the US war in Iraq under false claims it possessed weapons of mass destruction. Though she hoped a ceasefire would hold, Dr Moritz warned the conflict would have long-term ramifications. US international partners have begun to more closely examine whether American interests align with their own as President Donald Trump emerges as a foreign policy disruptor. The conflict could incentivise Arab states to pursue nuclear weapons and lead Iran to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and rebuild its nuclear program. Dr Moritz said Iran could become more repressive and conservative because it might lose some support, using the events as an excuse to violently repress opposition groups. Anyone within the regime who supported diplomatic engagement with the West would be sidelined too. This could impact Australian-Iranian communities, many of whom hoped the conflict could help de-stabilise the Iranian autocracy and pave the way for a new, democratic government. Persian Australian Community Association member Nader Ranjbar said the regime's continuation could lead to his "worst fear". "That somehow they get away from this mess and the first thing they do is start killing Iranian people," he told AAP. Mr Trump attacked both nations for breaching the ceasefire in the early stages, saying "they don't know what the f*** they are doing" on live television. The prime minister was unperturbed by the language. "President Trump made some pretty clear statements. I don't think it needs any further reflection," Mr Albanese said on Wednesday. "We want to see peace in the region, we want to see a ceasefire, we want to see de-escalation, and that is consistent with the very clear comments of President Trump." In the early hours of the day, 119 Australians and family members left Tel Aviv on a government-assisted flight. There are still about 3000 Australians in Iran who have registered with the government for help to leave, and more than 1000 in Israel. The latest conflict erupted on June 13, when Israel fired missiles at Iran in a bid to blow up military assets, arguing it was on the cusp of developing nuclear weapons. The battle took a turn on the weekend when the US launched a bombing raid on three underground nuclear facilities in Iran. Conflict between Iran and Israel will have consequences for Australia, even if a ceasefire holds, an expert warns. While the federal government has repeatedly called for diplomacy and peace, it differed from other US allies by supporting America's decision to join Israel's offensive and strike Iran. Concerns had been raised if the action was legal, making Australia's position on the strikes "worrying", regardless of whether a ceasefire held, analyst Jessie Moritz told AAP. "Given that the intelligence that Israel was operating under was not confirmed even by the US, that really raised the question of whether this was a legal war and whether this was breaking an international norm," the Australian National University Arab and Islamic studies lecturer said. "Breaking international norms is a huge problem because it allows our enemies to break that norm with us." The Labor government initially took a more neutral stance but backed the US bombings after the coalition came out in support first. Dr Moritz said the government's quick decision was concerning and drew comparisons to the events of 2003, where Australia joined the US war in Iraq under false claims it possessed weapons of mass destruction. Though she hoped a ceasefire would hold, Dr Moritz warned the conflict would have long-term ramifications. US international partners have begun to more closely examine whether American interests align with their own as President Donald Trump emerges as a foreign policy disruptor. The conflict could incentivise Arab states to pursue nuclear weapons and lead Iran to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and rebuild its nuclear program. Dr Moritz said Iran could become more repressive and conservative because it might lose some support, using the events as an excuse to violently repress opposition groups. Anyone within the regime who supported diplomatic engagement with the West would be sidelined too. This could impact Australian-Iranian communities, many of whom hoped the conflict could help de-stabilise the Iranian autocracy and pave the way for a new, democratic government. Persian Australian Community Association member Nader Ranjbar said the regime's continuation could lead to his "worst fear". "That somehow they get away from this mess and the first thing they do is start killing Iranian people," he told AAP. Mr Trump attacked both nations for breaching the ceasefire in the early stages, saying "they don't know what the f*** they are doing" on live television. The prime minister was unperturbed by the language. "President Trump made some pretty clear statements. I don't think it needs any further reflection," Mr Albanese said on Wednesday. "We want to see peace in the region, we want to see a ceasefire, we want to see de-escalation, and that is consistent with the very clear comments of President Trump." In the early hours of the day, 119 Australians and family members left Tel Aviv on a government-assisted flight. There are still about 3000 Australians in Iran who have registered with the government for help to leave, and more than 1000 in Israel. The latest conflict erupted on June 13, when Israel fired missiles at Iran in a bid to blow up military assets, arguing it was on the cusp of developing nuclear weapons. The battle took a turn on the weekend when the US launched a bombing raid on three underground nuclear facilities in Iran. Conflict between Iran and Israel will have consequences for Australia, even if a ceasefire holds, an expert warns. While the federal government has repeatedly called for diplomacy and peace, it differed from other US allies by supporting America's decision to join Israel's offensive and strike Iran. Concerns had been raised if the action was legal, making Australia's position on the strikes "worrying", regardless of whether a ceasefire held, analyst Jessie Moritz told AAP. "Given that the intelligence that Israel was operating under was not confirmed even by the US, that really raised the question of whether this was a legal war and whether this was breaking an international norm," the Australian National University Arab and Islamic studies lecturer said. "Breaking international norms is a huge problem because it allows our enemies to break that norm with us." The Labor government initially took a more neutral stance but backed the US bombings after the coalition came out in support first. Dr Moritz said the government's quick decision was concerning and drew comparisons to the events of 2003, where Australia joined the US war in Iraq under false claims it possessed weapons of mass destruction. Though she hoped a ceasefire would hold, Dr Moritz warned the conflict would have long-term ramifications. US international partners have begun to more closely examine whether American interests align with their own as President Donald Trump emerges as a foreign policy disruptor. The conflict could incentivise Arab states to pursue nuclear weapons and lead Iran to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and rebuild its nuclear program. Dr Moritz said Iran could become more repressive and conservative because it might lose some support, using the events as an excuse to violently repress opposition groups. Anyone within the regime who supported diplomatic engagement with the West would be sidelined too. This could impact Australian-Iranian communities, many of whom hoped the conflict could help de-stabilise the Iranian autocracy and pave the way for a new, democratic government. Persian Australian Community Association member Nader Ranjbar said the regime's continuation could lead to his "worst fear". "That somehow they get away from this mess and the first thing they do is start killing Iranian people," he told AAP. Mr Trump attacked both nations for breaching the ceasefire in the early stages, saying "they don't know what the f*** they are doing" on live television. The prime minister was unperturbed by the language. "President Trump made some pretty clear statements. I don't think it needs any further reflection," Mr Albanese said on Wednesday. "We want to see peace in the region, we want to see a ceasefire, we want to see de-escalation, and that is consistent with the very clear comments of President Trump." In the early hours of the day, 119 Australians and family members left Tel Aviv on a government-assisted flight. There are still about 3000 Australians in Iran who have registered with the government for help to leave, and more than 1000 in Israel. The latest conflict erupted on June 13, when Israel fired missiles at Iran in a bid to blow up military assets, arguing it was on the cusp of developing nuclear weapons. The battle took a turn on the weekend when the US launched a bombing raid on three underground nuclear facilities in Iran. Conflict between Iran and Israel will have consequences for Australia, even if a ceasefire holds, an expert warns. While the federal government has repeatedly called for diplomacy and peace, it differed from other US allies by supporting America's decision to join Israel's offensive and strike Iran. Concerns had been raised if the action was legal, making Australia's position on the strikes "worrying", regardless of whether a ceasefire held, analyst Jessie Moritz told AAP. "Given that the intelligence that Israel was operating under was not confirmed even by the US, that really raised the question of whether this was a legal war and whether this was breaking an international norm," the Australian National University Arab and Islamic studies lecturer said. "Breaking international norms is a huge problem because it allows our enemies to break that norm with us." The Labor government initially took a more neutral stance but backed the US bombings after the coalition came out in support first. Dr Moritz said the government's quick decision was concerning and drew comparisons to the events of 2003, where Australia joined the US war in Iraq under false claims it possessed weapons of mass destruction. Though she hoped a ceasefire would hold, Dr Moritz warned the conflict would have long-term ramifications. US international partners have begun to more closely examine whether American interests align with their own as President Donald Trump emerges as a foreign policy disruptor. The conflict could incentivise Arab states to pursue nuclear weapons and lead Iran to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and rebuild its nuclear program. Dr Moritz said Iran could become more repressive and conservative because it might lose some support, using the events as an excuse to violently repress opposition groups. Anyone within the regime who supported diplomatic engagement with the West would be sidelined too. This could impact Australian-Iranian communities, many of whom hoped the conflict could help de-stabilise the Iranian autocracy and pave the way for a new, democratic government. Persian Australian Community Association member Nader Ranjbar said the regime's continuation could lead to his "worst fear". "That somehow they get away from this mess and the first thing they do is start killing Iranian people," he told AAP. Mr Trump attacked both nations for breaching the ceasefire in the early stages, saying "they don't know what the f*** they are doing" on live television. The prime minister was unperturbed by the language. "President Trump made some pretty clear statements. I don't think it needs any further reflection," Mr Albanese said on Wednesday. "We want to see peace in the region, we want to see a ceasefire, we want to see de-escalation, and that is consistent with the very clear comments of President Trump." In the early hours of the day, 119 Australians and family members left Tel Aviv on a government-assisted flight. There are still about 3000 Australians in Iran who have registered with the government for help to leave, and more than 1000 in Israel. The latest conflict erupted on June 13, when Israel fired missiles at Iran in a bid to blow up military assets, arguing it was on the cusp of developing nuclear weapons. The battle took a turn on the weekend when the US launched a bombing raid on three underground nuclear facilities in Iran.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Budget woes anything but child's play before snap poll
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has dipped his toe into a snap state election campaign in which budget debt is front and centre. Tasmania is heading to the polls on July 19 after the island state's parliament passed a motion of no-confidence in Liberal minority Premier Jeremy Rockliff in early June. It is the state's second election in as many years, and the fourth in the past seven. The no-confidence motion, put forward by Labor and supported by three members of the crossbench, lashed Mr Rockliff's budget management. Figures released by treasury on Wednesday forecast a worse financial position than estimated in the May 2025/26 state budget. Treasury predicted net debt would reach $13 billion in 2027/28, above the budget forecast of $10.2 billion. It called for "explicit policy choices", warning the rate of debt growth was unsustainable and couldn't be addressed solely by economic growth. "As a state, we are spending more than we earn and the gap is growing," the treasury pre-election financial outlook said. The Liberals have pledged measures to cut spending in the public service, but abandoned potential state asset sales as a means of paying down debt. Both major parties have avoided big-spending promises, while Labor says it plans to soon release a more detailed financial strategy. The Liberals (14 seats) and Labor (10) face an uphill battle to get the 18 seats required for majority. There was a big swing, and a gain of two seats, for Labor in Tasmania at the May federal election. But it remains to be seen if the sentiment will translate to state level. Voter polling taken in May showed Labor had 31 per cent support, the Liberals 29, with the remaining 41 per cent either minor parties, independents or "other". Mr Albanese appeared in Launceston on Wednesday alongside state leader Dean Winter and federal Bass MP Jess Teesdale to announce a plan to boost childcare services. "It's great to be back here in Tasmania, my second visit in this term of government," he told reporters at an early learning centre. State Labor plans to "change the rules" to ensure any new public schools or major school redevelopments have a childcare centre. The Liberals, who have been in power since 2014, promised a reduction in red tape around residential planning approvals, and spruiked a new agricultural learning centre. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has dipped his toe into a snap state election campaign in which budget debt is front and centre. Tasmania is heading to the polls on July 19 after the island state's parliament passed a motion of no-confidence in Liberal minority Premier Jeremy Rockliff in early June. It is the state's second election in as many years, and the fourth in the past seven. The no-confidence motion, put forward by Labor and supported by three members of the crossbench, lashed Mr Rockliff's budget management. Figures released by treasury on Wednesday forecast a worse financial position than estimated in the May 2025/26 state budget. Treasury predicted net debt would reach $13 billion in 2027/28, above the budget forecast of $10.2 billion. It called for "explicit policy choices", warning the rate of debt growth was unsustainable and couldn't be addressed solely by economic growth. "As a state, we are spending more than we earn and the gap is growing," the treasury pre-election financial outlook said. The Liberals have pledged measures to cut spending in the public service, but abandoned potential state asset sales as a means of paying down debt. Both major parties have avoided big-spending promises, while Labor says it plans to soon release a more detailed financial strategy. The Liberals (14 seats) and Labor (10) face an uphill battle to get the 18 seats required for majority. There was a big swing, and a gain of two seats, for Labor in Tasmania at the May federal election. But it remains to be seen if the sentiment will translate to state level. Voter polling taken in May showed Labor had 31 per cent support, the Liberals 29, with the remaining 41 per cent either minor parties, independents or "other". Mr Albanese appeared in Launceston on Wednesday alongside state leader Dean Winter and federal Bass MP Jess Teesdale to announce a plan to boost childcare services. "It's great to be back here in Tasmania, my second visit in this term of government," he told reporters at an early learning centre. State Labor plans to "change the rules" to ensure any new public schools or major school redevelopments have a childcare centre. The Liberals, who have been in power since 2014, promised a reduction in red tape around residential planning approvals, and spruiked a new agricultural learning centre. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has dipped his toe into a snap state election campaign in which budget debt is front and centre. Tasmania is heading to the polls on July 19 after the island state's parliament passed a motion of no-confidence in Liberal minority Premier Jeremy Rockliff in early June. It is the state's second election in as many years, and the fourth in the past seven. The no-confidence motion, put forward by Labor and supported by three members of the crossbench, lashed Mr Rockliff's budget management. Figures released by treasury on Wednesday forecast a worse financial position than estimated in the May 2025/26 state budget. Treasury predicted net debt would reach $13 billion in 2027/28, above the budget forecast of $10.2 billion. It called for "explicit policy choices", warning the rate of debt growth was unsustainable and couldn't be addressed solely by economic growth. "As a state, we are spending more than we earn and the gap is growing," the treasury pre-election financial outlook said. The Liberals have pledged measures to cut spending in the public service, but abandoned potential state asset sales as a means of paying down debt. Both major parties have avoided big-spending promises, while Labor says it plans to soon release a more detailed financial strategy. The Liberals (14 seats) and Labor (10) face an uphill battle to get the 18 seats required for majority. There was a big swing, and a gain of two seats, for Labor in Tasmania at the May federal election. But it remains to be seen if the sentiment will translate to state level. Voter polling taken in May showed Labor had 31 per cent support, the Liberals 29, with the remaining 41 per cent either minor parties, independents or "other". Mr Albanese appeared in Launceston on Wednesday alongside state leader Dean Winter and federal Bass MP Jess Teesdale to announce a plan to boost childcare services. "It's great to be back here in Tasmania, my second visit in this term of government," he told reporters at an early learning centre. State Labor plans to "change the rules" to ensure any new public schools or major school redevelopments have a childcare centre. The Liberals, who have been in power since 2014, promised a reduction in red tape around residential planning approvals, and spruiked a new agricultural learning centre. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has dipped his toe into a snap state election campaign in which budget debt is front and centre. Tasmania is heading to the polls on July 19 after the island state's parliament passed a motion of no-confidence in Liberal minority Premier Jeremy Rockliff in early June. It is the state's second election in as many years, and the fourth in the past seven. The no-confidence motion, put forward by Labor and supported by three members of the crossbench, lashed Mr Rockliff's budget management. Figures released by treasury on Wednesday forecast a worse financial position than estimated in the May 2025/26 state budget. Treasury predicted net debt would reach $13 billion in 2027/28, above the budget forecast of $10.2 billion. It called for "explicit policy choices", warning the rate of debt growth was unsustainable and couldn't be addressed solely by economic growth. "As a state, we are spending more than we earn and the gap is growing," the treasury pre-election financial outlook said. The Liberals have pledged measures to cut spending in the public service, but abandoned potential state asset sales as a means of paying down debt. Both major parties have avoided big-spending promises, while Labor says it plans to soon release a more detailed financial strategy. The Liberals (14 seats) and Labor (10) face an uphill battle to get the 18 seats required for majority. There was a big swing, and a gain of two seats, for Labor in Tasmania at the May federal election. But it remains to be seen if the sentiment will translate to state level. Voter polling taken in May showed Labor had 31 per cent support, the Liberals 29, with the remaining 41 per cent either minor parties, independents or "other". Mr Albanese appeared in Launceston on Wednesday alongside state leader Dean Winter and federal Bass MP Jess Teesdale to announce a plan to boost childcare services. "It's great to be back here in Tasmania, my second visit in this term of government," he told reporters at an early learning centre. State Labor plans to "change the rules" to ensure any new public schools or major school redevelopments have a childcare centre. The Liberals, who have been in power since 2014, promised a reduction in red tape around residential planning approvals, and spruiked a new agricultural learning centre.
SBS Australia
3 hours ago
- SBS Australia
‘We got smashed': Sussan Ley reframes the Liberal narrative after election defeat
'We got smashed': Sussan Ley reframes the Liberal narrative after election defeat Published 25 June 2025, 8:58 am The Opposition Leader has used an address at the National Press Club to outline her plans to reshape the Liberal Party after the disastrous federal election result painting her leadership as a departure from Peter Dutton. Sussan Ley promised to be a zealot in recruiting women to the party. She also made a deeply personal admission about her own experience of coercion and control, vowing to use her position to address domestic violence.
