With local party memberships falling to all time lows (having dropped significantly in the last few years – some say well below the 400 mark) and an ever diminishing donation stream from once traditional corporate and business sponsors; the Canberra liberals are resorting to instituting a new “membership tax” to avoid political oblivion and keep themselves financially afloat.
The newly instigated charges, whilst initially appearing voluntary, are ultimately expected to become a compulsory part of membership, with charges increasing over time.
With the parliamentary party and more recently newly elected management committee now dominated with hardcore right oriented conservatives, it is hard to see where wider popular appeal of the local party will come from to increase membership.
[ED – Interesting they’re complaining about the cost of advertising when they never took up RiotACT’s very reasonable rates, more vapid TV spots planned then?]
