It’s time for a new party | The Saturday Paper

The Decline of the Australian Liberal Party

This article discusses the decline of the Australian Liberal Party, focusing on its shift to the right, loss of core values, and the rise of independent candidates. The author, a former Liberal MP, recounts her personal experiences and observations, highlighting the party's internal conflicts and its disregard for women and climate change.

Key Arguments

• The Liberal Party's rightward shift, influenced by figures like Scott Morrison and Peter Dutton, alienated many voters.
• The party's preference for One Nation and Family First in the 2025 election showed its move toward the far right.
• The rise of independent candidates, particularly those supported by Climate 200, demonstrates a growing desire for integrity and community representation.
• The author proposes the creation of a new "Community Independents Party" to represent the values of the electorate, emphasizing climate action, integrity, and women's equality.

Proposed Solution: A New Party

The author believes a new party based on community-level involvement, upholding climate action, integrity, and women's equality, can fill the void left by the Liberal Party's decline. This party would offer a more authentic and representative voice for Australian voters.