Western Australia’s most senior Liberal today declared “D-day” for the beleaguered party, calling on members to support substantial reforms to its preselection process.
Key points:
- The Liberal Party lost five crucial Western Australian seats in the federal election after a disappointing state election result
- Major reforms will be debated over two days at the party’s state conference in Perth as it seeks to restore its image.
- Senior Liberals say they are focused on winning government in the next federal election
Senator Michaelia Cash was the first person to address what will be a historic state conference for the party, following two devastating election defeats at both the state and federal levels.
The main part of the event’s agenda is to reform the party’s pre-selection process, to take control out of the hands of power brokers and give more voice to individual members.
The proposal was recommended in a scathing review of the party’s loss at last year’s state election, but party chairman Richard Wilson has put forward a slightly softer version.
Others within the party, calling themselves the Coalition for Liberal Reform, have proposed a stronger version of the reforms for the debate, which limits the number of people outside an electorate who can vote for candidates.
Liberal senator Michaelia Cash told the conference she hopes to return to Canberra with her head held high. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
Speaking to the media outside the event, Senator Cash appeared to indicate she supported the stronger version but would vote for the softer one if necessary.
“I will also support the amendment, and if it doesn’t go up, I’m still supporting the reform. Period. That’s it,” he said.
As he kicked off today’s conference, Senator Cash sought to inspire the party faithful, hurt by two disastrous election results, by talking about members’ shared belief in “liberal party values” and a three-year plan to take back the government.
Senator Cash spent much of her speech criticizing the Albanese government, including for removing the powers of the Australian Building and Construction Commission.
However, before introducing a video message from federal Liberal Leader Peter Dutton, who was unable to attend due to family commitments, Senator Cash made her feelings on reform clear.
“I hope when I get to Canberra tomorrow I can hold my head high and know that the Western Australian Liberal Party has voted for reform,” he said, “they’ve voted to change our party, they’ve voted to tell to the people of the West. Australia: “We have heard. we learned Let’s move on and focus on winning the government in three years.”
In his video address, federal Liberal leader Peter Dutton urged the party to come together and focus on winning the next election. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
In his speech, Dutton listed the achievements of the previous coalition government during its nine years in power, before urging members to “come together, to make sure we are strong as a party”.
“Not to look back, but to make sure we can embrace ourselves, our values and not shrink back,” he said.
Former Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett was among those in attendance. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
Dutton said he was confident his party could take Western Australia “home to the Liberal Party, and in big numbers” at the next election.
Women are “instrumental” to liberals’ success
In Dutton’s place, federal deputy leader Sussan Ley delivered the leader’s speech in person, using the Liberals’ history to inspire hope in members.
Ms Ley spoke of how the party had been formed after the 1943 federal election, when Labor held about 80 per cent of the lower house seats, including all in Western Australia.
Six years later, Robert Menzies led the party to a “resounding victory”, taking the majority of seats in Western Australia, he reminded the audience.
“It can be done, but it can only be done if we stay disciplined, if we stay true to our beliefs, and if we stay firmly committed to doing everything we can, each and every one of us in this room, to win again.” , said Ms. Ley.
Federal Liberal Party deputy leader Sussan Ley told the conference that women will be key to the party’s future success. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
After last year’s review found that women were “not adequately represented in either the organization or the parliamentary wings of the party”, Ms. Ley emphasized the role of women in the formation of the party.
“Don’t let anyone tell you that the Liberal Party can’t be the party of women,” she said.
“We were. We are. We will be in the future. There is work to be done, but women were instrumental in the creation of our party and will be instrumental in our future success.”
Ms Ley also spent time criticizing the current state government and drew applause when she declared leaving Western Australian Agriculture Minister Alannah MacTiernan in cabinet was a “disgrace” after her comments about foot-and-mouth disease.