Grassroots members of the Liberal Party are urging a reset following the party's disastrous federal election result, warning that the party may not survive without clear policies and broader appeal to women and young people.
Charlotte Mortlock, executive director of Hilma's Network, a group focused on recruiting more women into the Liberal Party, expressed frustration with the campaign. She said the party has a persistent problem with women, failing to pre-select enough female candidates or promote them to high ranks. Mortlock described quotas as a non-negotiable necessity for the party's survival.
Outgoing Liberal Senator for Western Australia Linda Reynolds echoed these concerns, noting that the party has not implemented recommendations from past reviews on gender targets. Reynolds said the party needs candidates who better reflect the broader Australian community in appearance, voice, and thought.
However, some party members attribute the loss to policy failures rather than cultural issues. Blake Young, a former Victorian Young Liberals representative, argued that the party's message failed to connect with voters on key issues like housing and law and order. He believes clear policies could restore the party's appeal.
Voters in the electorate of Dickson, where former leader Peter Dutton lost his seat, expressed little surprise at the outcome, citing a campaign disconnected from ordinary people. One voter said the campaign was 'not connected to the real people.'
