The conservative wing of the Canberra Liberals has reasserted its dominance within the party, with members electing the husband of their deputy leader as president in a significant internal vote.
Power Couple Takes Key Roles
Adam Morris secured the party presidency during the annual general meeting on Saturday, defeating moderate candidate Karen Walsh by 102 votes to 86. The result marks a notable shift in the party's internal dynamics.
Mr Morris is married to Deborah Morris, the first-term Legislative Assembly member who recently emerged as the Canberra Liberals' deputy leader following the suspension of two backbenchers for crossing the floor. This creates a powerful partnership within the party structure, with both now serving on the management committee.
Conservative Sweep in Key Positions
The conservative victory extended beyond the presidency. Patrick Fazzone, aligned with the right faction, defeated Sam Doyle 107 votes to 73 to become vice-president. Meanwhile, Brodie Taylor, a former ACT Young Liberals president, was elected chair of the policy committee with conservative backing.
The newly elected president maintains close ties with former opposition leader and ACT Liberal senator Zed Seselja, who historically commanded significant influence within the branch. This connection signals a return to conservative leadership after a brief moderate resurgence.
Declining Turnout Signals Internal Challenges
Saturday's meeting saw noticeably reduced participation compared to previous gatherings. Only 188 members voted in the presidential ballot, a significant drop from the 293 who participated in February's meeting.
The moderates had actively encouraged their supporters to back Walsh and Doyle, while conservatives effectively ran an all-male ticket. The lower turnout may reflect broader challenges within the party membership.
The management committee, which both Adam and Deborah Morris now join, is responsible for running the branch but does not determine policy or direct the parliamentary party's activities.
This conservative resurgence reverses the trend established in February 2024, when Nick Tyrrell defeated John Cziesla 177 votes to 116. That result had been widely interpreted as a shift toward the centre and away from the conservative faction's influence.
