It was a tough night for the Liberal faithful, including MLA Peter Cain. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
The Canberra Liberals will conduct a full review of the federal election outcome, in which the Liberal vote in the ACT fell to historic lows.
In a letter to party faithful, President Nick Tyrrell singled out the Coalition’s policy to axe 41,000 public services jobs in the national capital as particularly damaging to the Liberal cause in Canberra.
“The APS job cuts policy alienated not only Canberra voters but also businesspeople who depend on the public sector,” he said.
“I was contacted by many who usually vote Liberal but couldn’t support us this time for that reason.”
The damaging anti-Canberra rhetoric persisted despite ACT Opposition Leader Leanne Castley and Mr Tyrrell reaching out to the federal team about their concerns.
Mr Tyrrell said the local party must redouble its efforts to be heard, and he would lead a delegation of local business and community leaders to the federal party.
He remained committed to the future of the party, which must not be afraid of embracing reform.
“We’re now in Opposition again, with weakened numbers, no federal representation in the ACT, and growing support for independents,” he said.
“After Whitlam’s wipeout defeat in 1975, Labor rebuilt and returned to government under Bob Hawke within eight years. Their success came from reform, and we must do the same,” he said.
“There is no single silver bullet. We’ll conduct a formal review, and we must be honest and willing to confront our failures.”
Senate candidate Jacob Vadakkedathu campaigning. His result is almost 8 per cent worse than Zed Seselja’s in 2022. Photo: Jacob Vadakkedathu.
Mr Tyrell flagged forums in the coming months to comprehensively discuss party values — where they come from, what they signal, and which ones to unite around.
He also said the party needed to rethink its selection of candidates, including timing, expectations, and how to attract and support outstanding members and candidates, especially women.
“We have been written off before, but we are not a spent force,” Mr Tyrrell said.
“Values such as individual freedom and responsibility, efficient government, strong families, and reward for effort are timeless principles that remain as relevant today as they have ever been.”
Mr Tyrrell said the Trump factor also had an impact with voters but defended federal leader Peter Dutton as a decent man.
The lack of Liberal representation in the Parliament will continue for a second term after Senator David Pocock solidified his position with an 18 per cent swing and topping the Senate poll.
Liberal lead candidate Jacob Vadakkedathu is sitting at 17 per cent, almost 8 per cent down on Zed Seselja’s vote in 2022.
In Bean, David Lamerton has been relegated to third place behind Labor’s David Smith and independent Jessie Price, who are battling it out for the seat.
Mr Lamerton garnered just 23 per cent of the vote, suffering a 6.6 per cent swing.
In Canberra, Will Roche mustered just 18 per cent with an almost 4 per cent swing against the Liberal Party.
The Liberals again finished in third place behind Green Isabel Mudford and sitting Labor member Alicia Payne, who romped home with a two-party swing of more than 7 per cent and nearly 70 per cent of the vote.
In the northern seat of Fenner, the swing against the party was almost 6 per cent. But Bola Olatunbosun may have done better than her 22 per cent if not for former Liberal MLA Elizabeth Kickkert standing as a Family First member (7.75%).
But that is only a reminder of the local party’s internal problems.
Sitting member Andrew Leigh won with a two-party preferred swing of 3.47 per cent and a vote also near 70 per cent, with Green Dani Hunterford securing 16 per cent of the vote.
After the 2022 result, a review conducted by Helen Kroger and Dr Mike Nahan found that a confused position on climate change, Scott Morrison’s leadership and the party being a turn-off for women voters were to blame.
Local party disunity had also played a role.
