First step for the Libs? Embrace modern Australia

The Age

06-05-2025

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ELECTION FALLOUT
Peter Dutton lost his seat of Dickson comfortably, in what was a total repudiation of him, his party and its policies (or lack thereof). Struggling in the campaign, Dutton resorted to culture wars over Welcome to Country. Dutton thrived on the politics of grievance and the stoking fear and division. The vast majority of us have said 'this is not who we are, nor who we want to be'.
The Liberal Party must now decide how far to the right they are prepared to move to rebuild. Gina Rinehart wants them to go further (' Rinehart blames 'left media' for Coalition wipeout, claims voters 'very short on understanding',' 5/5). Given the Liberal Party's links to the likes of right-wing lobby group Advance, their willingness to use members of the patriarchal and misogynistic Exclusive Brethren in the election campaign, and that three potential leadership contenders – Angus Taylor, Andrew Hastie and Dan Tehan – attended the conference for the climate change denying Alliance for Responsible Citizenship in London in 2023, one must wonder.
Rod Eldridge, Derrinallum
Contemporary women
Charlotte Mortlock is correct in being frustrated that her own party fails to take her advice as a woman seriously (' The Liberal Party is still beholden to a small cohort of angry men. Women have had enough ', 6/5). Sadly, the very Anglo-centric nature of women selected in parliament, including teal candidates, also don't reflect the small business owners in my area who come from educated multicultural backgrounds. These women don't like the oft-cited 'pub test' political analogy – they don't go to pubs as it's not part of their culture and sadly some feel uncomfortable in that blokey environment. Genuine reform means choosing women from diverse backgrounds who have different life experiences and seeing more nuanced perspectives on what it means being a modern day Australian woman.
Mel Smith, Brighton
An existential crisis
Beyond questions of leadership and policy, the Liberal Party must look at its basic principles and consider how closely they reflect modern Australia. That might reveal that the Liberals really do face an existential crisis. A political party based on principles including individualism, limited government and low taxation seems to be at odds with a country that pressures its government to do more and more for its citizens.
This creates a huge problem for true liberals, because by definition, they do not want to interfere in people's lives. They prefer a light touch government that leaves people free to live as they wish, provided they do not harm others. But that doesn't match modern, progressive Australia that seems to be constantly demanding the government address an ever expanding list of problems and issues. The Liberal Party can move to the moderate centre, but they will reach a limit beyond which they cannot go and still call themselves liberals.
Rod Wise, Surrey Hills
Building a coherent story
Peter Hartcher's insightful analysis (' Election delivers hard lessons for the Libs. But they can't say they weren't warned ', 6/5) of the Liberal rout in Saturday's election sums up the major shortcomings of the Liberal Party, but does not address their fundamental problem. To be a party electable, voters want a coherent story and direction. Making off the cuff policy statements a la working from home and continually being negative does not inspire confidence. Peter Dutton raged about the cost of living and housing crisis but offered no well-planned solutions.
The Liberal Party could well follow Labor's example in holding annual conferences where policies are debated under the umbrella of a guiding philosophy that outlines the party's guiding principles. Federal elections should be a competition between clear policies and ideas, not a slanging match between personalities. Until the Liberal Party establish what they stand for, they will remain in the political wilderness.
Graeme Lechte, Pascoe Vale
THE FORUM
Leave it to the politicians
Gina Rinehart still doesn't get it. She is advocating that we continue to embrace Trumpism despite the Coalition's massive loss. She is also blaming the left-wing media. My advice to Rinehart is to leave the politics to the politicians and sit out on her balcony with a cold one and count her money. She is a very fortunate woman.
John Cummings, Anglesea
Pulling the strings
No surprise that Gina Rinehart wants the Liberals to move further right. She sees herself as Australia's Elon Musk, pulling the strings of an Australian Trump-like Liberal Party. She has somehow missed the fact that most Aussies don't like Trump and his ilk.
Marie Nash, Balwyn
Begin again
I completely agree with Gina Rinehart's statement that the Liberal Party should move further to the right. That will hasten the Liberal Party's fall into oblivion. From its ashes new parties and independents will arise, free of lobbyists and vested interests, who are more attuned to the needs of average Australians.
Barry Lizmore, Ocean Grove