The Canberra Liberals are grappling with an internal crisis that could derail their election prospects, as deep divisions over leadership threaten to tear the party apart.
Party at Breaking Point
Sources within the ACT Liberal party room reveal growing discontent with current leader Elizabeth Lee, with some members openly discussing a potential leadership challenge. The tension has been building for months, but recent poor polling numbers have brought the issue to a head.
"There's a real sense of panic setting in," one senior Liberal insider confessed. "We're less than a year out from an election and we're tearing ourselves apart instead of focusing on the Labor government's failures."
Key Players in the Drama
Former leader Jeremy Hanson is emerging as a central figure in the unfolding drama. While he hasn't publicly declared his intentions, multiple sources confirm his supporters are actively testing numbers for a potential leadership spill.
Elizabeth Lee, who took over the leadership in 2020, is fighting to maintain control. Her supporters argue that changing leaders so close to an election would be political suicide and signal instability to voters.
What's Behind the Unrest?
- Consistently trailing Labor in opinion polls
- Internal disagreement over policy direction
- Frustration with the party's inability to capitalise on government missteps
- Growing concern about election prospects
The Stakes for Canberra
This internal turmoil comes at a critical time for the territory. With the ACT government facing challenges in health, housing and cost of living, the Liberals' infighting prevents them from effectively holding the government to account.
"Canberrans deserve an effective opposition," noted a political analyst. "Right now, they're getting a party more focused on internal battles than serving the community."
The outcome of this leadership struggle will likely determine whether the Liberals can mount a credible challenge to Labor's long-standing governance of the Australian Capital Territory.
