Liberals blame Morrison and women vote for election defeat

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The Liberals’ performance in the federal election was the “worst loss” for the party in its political history, according to a review.

The review, by former party manager Brian Loughnane and Victorian Senator Jane Hume, found results in metropolitan areas and among women voters of concern.

“The result is unlike any precedent in Australian political history. It therefore poses a significant and unique challenge to the party,” the review said.

“The outcome was driven by a combination of major strategic factors, reinforced by a series of individual, state and local issues that together resulted in the most serious loss for the party in its history.”

The report identified the contrast between then Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese as one of the biggest negatives for the party.

“The Prime Minister’s position with voters has deteriorated significantly through 2021 to become a significant negative. The prime minister and the party were seen as ‘disconnected’,” the report said.

“The leadership choice between Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese became the most influential driver of voting intention during the campaign period.”

The coalition suffered a more than 5% swing in the May election, with the Liberals losing 18 seats.

The loss of metropolitan seats to independent Teals was also highlighted as a significant threat to the party.

“The emergence of the teals meant the party had to campaign on two different fronts,” the review said.

“It naturally also compromised the party’s ability to campaign with a single national message.”

The review made 49 recommendations, including an overhaul of local campaign structures and greater diversity among candidates and the party.

In particular, the review said repairing relations between the Liberals and the Chinese community in Australia was a priority.

“To be successful in winning seats, the party must reflect modern Australia. It is therefore important that the party, as a priority, has greater ethnic and gender diversity in the shortlisted candidates,” the review said.

“To be successful in winning seats, the party must reflect modern Australia.”

The review also called for a target of 50% female representation in parliament over the next decade, as well as measures to increase the number of female parliamentarians as soon as possible.

Mr Morrison’s party and position among women in the electorate was seen as a major barrier to voting for the party.

According to the report, the perception that the prime minister at the time was not listening to women’s concerns hurt the Liberal vote.

The election autopsy also targeted delays in pre-selections in crucial electorates ahead of the ballot.

“Delays in holding pre-selections narrowed the field of possible quality candidates and led the party to fail to select a candidate with a reasonable prospect of winning the seat,” the review said.

“In too many cases, party structures in the run-up to the 2022 elections have not been able to resolve these deadlocks…interventions in divisions on pre-selection issues should therefore only take place in the most extraordinary circumstances.”

ByAndrew Brown’s Canberra

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