It was a candid observation for a senior Canberra Liberal to make.
Retiring MLA Nicole Lawder admitted on the ABC’s election night broadcast that some within the ACT branch of the party were less interested in being elected than pushing it ideologically to the right.
This morning, as a post-mortem within the Liberal Party began following its seventh-straight territory election loss last night, leader Elizabeth Lee agreed.
Last night, Ms Lawder lashed out at what she described as “a couple of very powerful players in the party” who “have pushed the Liberals too far to the right”.
“I think there are some people that are so ideologically driven that [they] would prefer to sabotage the pathway to winning,” she said.
“I think that there are some people who like to be kingmakers or drive the direction of the party and they don’t actually care whether we win government here in the ACT.
“We have had defeat after defeat … [and] I fear they are going to say, ‘Well, we had a progressive leader in Elizabeth Lee and we still lost so we need to lurch more to the right’.”
Retiring MLA Nicole Lawder called on the party not to move right following the election results.
When asked to respond to those comments, Ms Lee said she agreed.
“I don’t think she’s wrong,” Ms Lee said.
“Obviously there is a lot of work to do to make us electable, and certainly, one of the things that I’ve had in terms of feedback has been, ‘Thank you for, you know, making the party more electable’.
“Certainly there was a thought that I probably perhaps represent the demography of Canberra better, and most people have reflected on that.
“One of the things that you do accept as being a political leader … is [the idea] of a broad church.”
Ms Lee said she thought a range of factors contributed to her party’s loss last night.
“A combination of a very, very well-resourced negative campaign by ACT Labor — some of it which has been found to be quite misleading — in addition to obviously a very, very heavy push by the independents,” she said.
But she also said “my party and some of its internal issues” that came to public attention “probably” didn’t help.
Ms Lee said she’ll consult with her family before making a decision about the leadership. (ABC News: Victor Petrovic)
‘That’s politics’
Last night the ABC’s chief election analyst Antony Green said it was likely the Canberra Liberals would increase their share of seats in the Legislative Assembly from 9 to 10, but that, compared to the 2020 election, the party’s primary vote had dropped by 0.8 per cent.
As the fallout continues, conversations have begun about whether Ms Lee, who has led the party since just after the last election, will remain the opposition leader.
Ms Lee was asked today whether change was necessary.
She said she would not “make any rash decisions”, but that she was aware that more conservative members of the party were already discussing whether to go with someone else.
“That’s politics,” she said.
“I’m obviously going to have some conversations with a lot of people, including my family and those around me.”
Andrew Barr declared victory for Labor last night. (ABC News: Jostina Basta)
Counting continues
As the Canberra Liberals look to the future, ACT Labor is also turning its attention to the make-up of the next Legislative Assembly.
The party is on track to hold its 10 seats, but will need to discuss governing arrangements with the Greens or independents.
The ABC is projecting that two independents will take seats in the Legislative Assembly — Thomas Emerson in Kurrajong and Fiona Carrick in Murrumbidgee — along with three Greens.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said he was having conversations with the Greens — who have governed in a coalition with Labor since 2012 — but was also potentially prepared to talk with the independents.
“I think it depends a little on what roles they, both Fiona and and Thomas, want to play,” Mr Barr said.
“I think there’s areas of very strong policy alignment with the Labor Party, possibly stronger than the Greens have with the Labor Party on some issues.
“What I would be looking for and would be hopeful for is at least an understanding on confidence and supply extending beyond the Greens party as well, so that we can have stability in government.”
The ACT Greens have yet to decide what role they will play in the next assembly, with party leader Shane Rattenbury saying he would look to the party membership for a steer.
They face the decision of whether to sit in a coalition with Labor or on the crossbench.
Counting is currently continuing, with the final make-up of the assembly expected to become clearer in coming weeks.
