The Liberal Party of Australia was formed by Sir Robert Menzies in 1944.
The party was originally formed in 1910, became the Nationalists in 1917 and the United Australia Party in 1932.
Since 1944, the Liberal Party governed Australia at the Federal level from 1949-72, 1975-83 and 1996-2007. On each of these occasions, the party governed in coalition with The Nationals (originally known as the Country Party).
Personnel
Organisation and History
- Menzies Virtual Museum Launched [Sep 13, 2002]
- Robert Menzies’ “The Forgotten People” speech – 1942
- Constitution – Victorian Division
- Organisation – Victoria
- Pre-Selection – Victoria
Philosophies & Policies
- The Howard Government
- Liberal Party Policy documents released during the 1998 Election campaign
- Beyond Ideology – - Philosophical and policy differences between the liberal and conservative wings of the Liberal Party are discussed in a speech by Tony Abbott, the Minister for Workplace Relations in the Howard government. [Jan 6, 2000]
- The Liberal Party and the Philosophy of Benevolence – a speech delivered by John Howard in March 2001 in which he discussed social policy and his philosophy of benevolence, volunteerism and the responsibilities of the business sector. [Mar 13, 2001]
- Peter Costello’s speech calling for more Volunteerism [Aug 15, 2001]
- Costello’s Future Directions? [Aug 18, 2001]
- Conservatives And Liberals Combined: Speech By Tony Abbott [Sep 10, 2001]
- Despite Bali, Stay Engaged With Asia: Costello [Oct 16, 2002]
- Reform With A Social Conscience: Speech By Tony Abbott [Jan 11, 2003]
- Costello Hints At Benefits Of Deputies Taking On The Top Job [Aug 12, 2005]
Web Site
- Liberal Party – the official Federal site; contains links to state divisions
Archived News Items
- May 13, 2013: A Scenario For Tony Abbott And A Motion Of No-Confidence
- May 08, 2013: Tony Abbott And Women Of Calibre: What Did He Actually Say?
- Mar 21, 2013: Tony Abbott Attempts To Move No-Confidence Motion In Gillard
- Mar 15, 2013: Abbott: Indigenous Issues Will Be At The Heart Of A Coalition Government In Word And Deed
- Mar 08, 2013: International Women’s Day 2013
- Mar 06, 2013: BAILLIEU RESIGNS – DENIS NAPTHINE NEW VICTORIAN PREMIER
- Feb 23, 2013: Zed Seselja Topples Gary Humphries For ACT Liberal Senate Preselection
- Feb 19, 2013: In Barton, Tony Abbott Promises Home-Grown Policy With A Strong Australian Accent
- Feb 15, 2013: Tony Abbott State Of The Nation Address To CEDA
- Feb 13, 2013: Combet: Tony Abbott Is Australia’s Biggest Bullshit Artist
- Feb 04, 2013: Tony Abbott’s Remarks To The Shadow Cabinet
- Feb 04, 2013: Current Federal Parliamentary Leaders
- Jan 31, 2013: Tony Abbott’s Address To The National Press Club
- Jan 30, 2013: Why Has Gillard Picked September 14?
- Jan 27, 2013: “Our Plan” – Tony Abbott Releases Coalition Policy Document
- Jan 26, 2013: Gillard And Abbott Attend Australia Day Citizenship Ceremonies
- Jan 26, 2013: Seven Former Politicians Awarded Australia Day Honours: Downer, Uren Receive AC
- Jan 24, 2013: Scott Morrison: Australia, The Land Of Our Adoption
- Jan 24, 2013: Tony Abbott Briefs Liberal Party Candidates
- Jan 23, 2013: Stuart Robert Attacks Gillard Over National Security Strategy
- Jan 17, 2013: British Foreign Secretary William Hague’s Howard Lecture
- Jan 17, 2013: Howard Lecture: Tony Abbott Introduces William Hague
- Jan 17, 2013: Unemployment Rate Increases 0.1% To 5.4%
- Jan 13, 2013: Gillard And Rudd: 935 Days Each As Prime Minister
- Jan 10, 2013: Eva Cox: Abbott A Confused, Conservative Sexist, But Not A Misogynist
- Jan 09, 2013: Tony Abbott Fights Fires Around Nowra
- Jan 07, 2013: Who Will Win The 2013 Federal Election? – Part 1
- Dec 31, 2012: Tony Abbott’s New Year Message
- Dec 27, 2012: Malcolm Turnbull: “It Has Never Been Easier To Get Away With Telling Lies”
- Dec 24, 2012: Tony Abbott’s Christmas Message
- Dec 23, 2012: Graham Perrett Refers Slipper Conspiracy Allegations To Federal Police
- Dec 20, 2012: Abbott On Budget Surplus: Government Has Completely Failed On Economic Management
- Dec 15, 2012: Murdoch And Turnbull Tweet About Guns
- Dec 14, 2012: Tony Abbott At Oxford: On Tradition, A Revived Colombo Plan, And Decision-Making
- Dec 13, 2012: Today’s Electoral Anniversaries: Hughes And Fraser
- Dec 12, 2012: Labor Pursues Brough Over Role In Slipper-Ashby Case
- Dec 12, 2012: Brandis Accuses Roxon Of Inappropriate Behaviour
- Dec 12, 2012: Ashby’s Lawyers Say There Was No Conspiracy In Slipper Case
- Dec 12, 2012: James Ashby Says He Will Appeal Slipper Judgment
- Dec 12, 2012: Abuse Of Process: Peter Slipper Sexual Harassment Case Thrown Out By Federal Court
- Dec 10, 2012: Today’s Political Messages: Swan And Abbott
- Dec 09, 2012: More Anniversaries: Three Elections, A Floating Dollar And The Redfern Speech
- Dec 06, 2012: Scott Morrison Comments On Asylum Seeker Conditions On Nauru
- Dec 06, 2012: 2013 Election Advertising Underway Already: Greg Bickley In Bendigo
- Dec 06, 2012: Abbott’s Road Trip Takes Him To Port Macquarie
- Dec 04, 2012: Swan And Hockey Argue Over Interest Rates
- Dec 02, 2012: Gillard And Abbott Appear On Sunday Talk Shows
- Nov 30, 2012: George Brandis Press Conference On Gillard AWU Allegations
- Nov 24, 2012: Government And Opposition Reflect On Five Years Of Rudd/Gillard
- Nov 21, 2012: Gillard Government Moves Yet Closer To Howard On Asylum Seekers
- Nov 19, 2012: Rudd And Turnbull On Q&A: Dumped Leaders Discuss Leadership
- Nov 13, 2012: Tony Abbott’s Brisbane Media Conference
- Nov 01, 2012: Current Federal Parliamentary Party Leaders
- Oct 03, 2012: On Alan Jones, Politics And Narcissism
- Oct 01, 2012: A Grub: Laurie Oakes On Alan Jones
- Sep 19, 2012: Gillard, Lowy And Abbott: Australian Multicultural Council Lecture
- Sep 10, 2012: Nauru Designated For Regional Processing
- Sep 10, 2012: Malcolm Turnbull Speech On Same-Sex Marriage
- Sep 05, 2012: Malcolm Turnbull’s Speech On Republican Virtues: Truth, Leadership & Responsibility
- Sep 01, 2012: Liberals Remember The Labor-Greens Anniversary
- Aug 20, 2012: Abbott Sceptical That Gonski Is “Doable At This Time”
- Aug 16, 2012: Tony Windsor Attacks Tony Abbott
- Aug 14, 2012: Malcolm Turnbull Pays Tribute To Robert Hughes
- Aug 06, 2012: Tony Abbott Speech On Free Speech
- Aug 03, 2012: Abbott Releases Foreign Investment Discussion Paper
- Aug 01, 2012: Hockey: Springsteen Not A Basis For Sound Public Policy
- Jul 29, 2012: Mal Brough Wins Liberal Party Preselection For Fisher
- Jul 24, 2012: Tony Abbott’s China Speech: Working Harder On A Complex Relationship
- Jul 19, 2012: Turnbull Speech: Open Markets, Open Minds And An Open Society
- Jul 18, 2012: Tony Abbott’s Foreign Policy Speech To The Heritage Foundation
- Jun 21, 2012: Senator Mary Jo Fisher To Resign
- Jun 08, 2012: Tony Abbott: The Coalition’s Plan For Stronger Communities
- Jun 04, 2012: Gillard And Abbott Light Royal Jubilee Beacon
- May 28, 2012: Abbott: This Is An Important Week
- May 16, 2012: Joe Hockey’s National Press Club Budget Address
- May 15, 2012: Whatever It Is, I’m Against It
- May 11, 2012: Peter Costello Responds To Michael Kroger
- May 11, 2012: Michael Kroger Unloads On Peter Costello
- May 10, 2012: Tony Abbott’s Budget Reply Speech
- May 09, 2012: Peter Costello: The Colt From Kooyong?
- Apr 29, 2012: Abbott: Gillard Should Also Reject Thomson’s Vote
- Apr 28, 2012: Tony Abbott Speech To The Victorian Liberal Party
- Apr 21, 2012: Abbott Calls On Gillard To Require Slipper To Step Aside As Speaker
- Apr 20, 2012: Abbott: The Coalition’s Plan For A Cleaner Environment
- Apr 18, 2012: Hockey On Lateline: The End Of The Age Of Entitlement
- Apr 17, 2012: Hockey Speech: The End Of The Age Of Entitlement
- Apr 17, 2012: Alby Schultz Announces Retirement From Hume
- Mar 31, 2012: Senator Judith Adams Dies
- Feb 24, 2012: Liberal Ad: Lemons Never Change Their Spots
- Feb 07, 2012: Tony Abbott’s Speech to the Coalition Party Room
- Jan 31, 2012: Abbott: My Plan For A Stronger Economy, A Stronger Australia
- Jan 23, 2012: Christopher Pyne: Gillard As Ruthless As Richard III
- Dec 31, 2011: Tony Abbott’s 2012 New Year Message
- Dec 24, 2011: Tony Abbott’s 2011 Christmas Message
- Dec 22, 2011: Government Offers Nauru To Abbott In Return For Malaysia
- Dec 12, 2011: Who Says Abbott Should Flick The Switch To Positive?
- Nov 29, 2011: Tony Abbott Responds To Mid-Year Budget Update
- Nov 29, 2011: Swan Releases MYEFO: Budget Surplus Shaved
- Nov 21, 2011: Tony Abbott Speech on the Economy to The Sydney Institute
- Nov 20, 2011: Liberal Party Launches New Attack On Labor’s 4th Anniversary
- Nov 18, 2011: Scott Morrison Promises To Protect The “Borders Of Our Values”
- Nov 18, 2011: Abbott Says No To Superannuation Levy Increase But Won’t Repeal In Government
- Sep 09, 2011: Craig Thomson and Mary Jo Fisher: MPs in the News
- Jul 21, 2011: Turnbull Condemns Rejection Of Climate Science
- Jul 18, 2011: Reith Review of Liberal Party Election Campaign Released
- Jul 08, 2011: ALP Releases Anti-Abbott Ad
- May 18, 2011: Joe Hockey’s Budget Reply Speech
- Mar 31, 2011: Abbott Proposes Welfare Crackdown
- Feb 03, 2011: Cyclone Yasi, Soldier’s Death, Egypt: Today’s Briefings
- Feb 02, 2011: Abbott Seeks Donations To Fight Flood Levy
- Jan 29, 2011: Gillard and Swan Trade Blows With Abbott Over Flood Levy
- Jan 29, 2011: Lazy Policy Under Cover of Sympathy For Flood Victims: Abbott
- Jan 28, 2011: Gillard and Hockey Put Positions On Flood Levy
- Jan 18, 2011: Abbott Says Broadband Network Should Go
- Jan 07, 2011: A Flurry of Activity – and it’s only January 7
- Jan 05, 2011: Hockey Attacks “Incompetence” Of Gillard Government
- Dec 24, 2010: A Christmas Message Of Good Cheer From Tony Abbott
- Dec 02, 2010: The March of Political Time
- Nov 18, 2010: History Is Written By The Winners
- Nov 15, 2010: House of Representatives Debates Gay Marriage Resolution
- Nov 15, 2010: Victorian Liberals Put The Greens Last As Labor Stitches Up A Deal
- Nov 10, 2010: Brian Loughnane Analyses Result Of 2010 Federal Election
- Nov 04, 2010: Giving Substance To The Words
- Oct 27, 2010: Kennett Savages Senator Helen Kroger Over Green Preferences
- Oct 21, 2010: Is It Time For The Liberals To Dispose Of Abbott?
- Sep 07, 2010: Katter Supports Coalition; Windsor-Oakeshott Decision Due Shortly
- Sep 01, 2010: Abbott Accuses Gillard Of Breaking Election Promise
- Aug 22, 2010: Politics Abhors A Vacuum
- Aug 19, 2010: Day 33: The Dying Moments
- Aug 18, 2010: Day 32: Look, They’re Voting
- Aug 13, 2010: Day 27: What Are They Thinking?
- Aug 12, 2010: Day 26: The Conventional Wisdom Turns
- Aug 09, 2010: Throwing The Switch To Burlesque
- Aug 06, 2010: Day 20: New Hope
- Aug 05, 2010: Day 19: Return To Norwood
- Aug 04, 2010: Day 18: Bloggers Galore And Not A Swinging Voter In Sight
- Aug 03, 2010: Day 17 – Amusing Ourselves To Defeat
- Aug 02, 2010: The ALP Is Losing And They Know It
- Jul 28, 2010: Day 11: With The Liberals in Deakin
- Jul 26, 2010: The Narrative: Week Two Begins
- Jul 21, 2010: Day 4: On Message
- Jul 20, 2010: Day 3: Oh My God, They Killed WorkChoices!
- Jul 19, 2010: Days 1-2: On Message As The Election Skirmish Begins
- Jul 18, 2010: Wilson Tuckey TV Advertisement
- Jul 17, 2010: Game On: Gillard And Abbott Video Messages
- Jul 17, 2010: Tony Abbott Says Gillard Cannot Be Trusted
- Jun 22, 2010: Galahs And Polls
- Jun 03, 2010: Petro Georgiou: Valedictory Speech
- Jun 29, 2009: 2CC Commentary: Liberal Leadership & Climate Change
- May 26, 2009: Turnbull Pushes For Delay of Emissions Trading Scheme Legislation
- Dec 30, 2008: Malcolm Turnbull’s New Year Message
- Nov 16, 2008: John Howard Returns To The Fray
- Nov 11, 2008: Is Julie Bishop A Political Clown?
- Oct 24, 2008: Coming Soon: The Howard Years
- Oct 19, 2008: ACT Government Teeters; ALP Massacred In NSW By-Elections
- Oct 17, 2008: Malcolm Turnbull Twitters
- Oct 16, 2008: Malcolm Turnbull Address To The Nation
- Oct 14, 2008: Turnbull Offers Support For Economic Stimulus Package
- Oct 10, 2008: Liberals Offer Three-Point Plan For Financial Crisis
- Oct 10, 2008: Financial Crisis: Malcolm Turnbull Address To Queensland Liberal National Party
- Sep 27, 2008: Gillard Sledges Turnbull At Grand Final Breakfast
- May 15, 2008: Nelson Promises Reduction In Petrol Excise In Budget Reply Speech
- Mar 20, 2008: Clare O’Neil: Howard’s Terrifying Lack Of Reflection
- Feb 19, 2008: “Partially Treated Sewage Sandwich” From Julie Bishop
- Feb 13, 2008: Brendan Nelson Supports Stolen Generations Apology
- Jan 26, 2008: Brendan Nelson’s Australia Day Address
- Dec 19, 2007: Liberal Party Director Analyses Election Defeat
- Dec 12, 2007: Bennelong Declaration Ends Howard’s Political Career
- Dec 10, 2007: ALP Lead In McEwen Now Only 6 Votes
- Dec 06, 2007: Nelson Announces Shadow Ministry
- Dec 06, 2007: Coalition Shadow Ministry From December 6, 2007
- Dec 04, 2007: Oppositions Do Win Elections: Gartrell Analyses ALP Election Victory
- Nov 29, 2007: Brendan Nelson Elected Liberal Party Leader In Close Vote
- Nov 28, 2007: Abbott Withdraws From Liberal Leadership Contest
- Nov 26, 2007: McKew Wins Bennelong
- Nov 25, 2007: Malcolm Turnbull First To Declare In Race For Liberal Leadership
- Nov 25, 2007: Costello To Quit Politics; Will Not Seek Or Accept Liberal Leadership
- Nov 25, 2007: Costello To Quit Politics; Won’t Seek Leadership
- Nov 24, 2007: 2007 Federal Election Night Reports
- Nov 07, 2007: Liberal Party Campaigns On Economic Management
- Oct 15, 2007: Howard And Costello Offer Tax Cuts Package
- Oct 14, 2007: “Australia’s Choice”: Howard Attempts To Frame The Election
- Oct 14, 2007: November 24: Howard Announces Federal Election
- Oct 11, 2007: John Howard’s Speech On Reconciliation
- Sep 17, 2007: Current Federal Parliamentary Party Leaders
- Sep 12, 2007: I’ll Retire During Next Term: Howard
- Sep 12, 2007: Howard Survives Party-Room Meeting Without Challenge
- May 08, 2007: Budget Gives Tax Cuts; Targets Education, Childcare, Aged, Environment
- Mar 02, 2007: Coalition Touts Its Achievements On 11th Anniversary
- Jan 23, 2007: Howard Reshuffle; Vanstone, Hardgrave Sacked; Turnbull Into Cabinet
- Jul 31, 2006: Howard’s Letter to MPs; Costello Says He’s Staying
- Jan 24, 2006: Howard Ministry; Nelson To Defence; Nats Lose; Turnbull Tapped
- Jan 20, 2006: Hill Confirms Resignation; UN Diplomatic Appointment Expected Soon
- Jan 20, 2006: Resignation Statement by Senator Robert Hill
- Jan 20, 2006: Howard Pays Tribute To Hill
- Dec 19, 2005: Costello Denies Misleading Parliament; Treasury Releases Executive Minute On IR
- Dec 07, 2005: Costello Says He Won’t Challenge Howard
- Aug 26, 2005: Malcolm Turnbull Paper On Taxation Reform
- Aug 25, 2005: Malcolm Turnbull Releases Tax Reform Proposals
- Aug 12, 2005: Costello Hints At Benefits Of Deputies Taking On The Top Job
- May 17, 2005: Alexander Downer: Earle Page Politics Speech
- Oct 07, 2004: Liberal Party TV Advertisements – 2004 Federal Election
- Mar 30, 2004: Sir Rupert Hamer, Former Victorian Premier, Genuine Liberal, Dies, 87
- Mar 16, 2004: Abbott: Abortion Is The Easy Way Out And A Measure Of Our Moral Health
- Jan 23, 2004: Tony Abbott: The Moral Case For The Howard Government
- Jan 10, 2004: Geoff Kitney: Selfish Australia Votes For Itself
- Aug 26, 2003: Abbott Denies Lying
- Jul 01, 2003: The Difference Between Labor And Liberal?
- Jun 03, 2003: HOWARD SAYS HE’S STAYING
- Feb 04, 2003: John Howard’s Address To Parliament On Iraq
- May 27, 2002: John Gorton: Speech by Simon Crean
- May 22, 2002: The Right Honourable Sir John Gorton GCMG, AC, CH
- May 20, 2002: John Gorton, Australian, Former Liberal Prime Minister, Dies, 90
- Mar 11, 2002: Bill Heffernan’s Disgraceful Speech Under Parliamentary Privilege
- Feb 19, 2002: Howard Grilled At Lively Press Conference; Tense Mood In Question Time
- Feb 13, 2002: First Speech: Sussan Ley (Liberal, Farrer-NSW)
- Feb 06, 2002: Abbott, Public Service Basher, Repents
- Nov 11, 2001: Howard Wins A Third Term: Some Historical Comparisons
- Oct 28, 2001: John Howard’s 2001 Election Policy Speech
- Oct 28, 2001: Howard Launches Government Campaign With A Billion Dollars Of Promises
- Sep 07, 2001: Michael Wooldridge Announces Resignation From Parliament
- Jul 26, 2001: Costello Defends Globalisation; Speech Stakes Out Election Position And Leadership Credentials
- Apr 01, 2001: A Statistical Analysis Of The Howard Ministry – 2001
- Mar 18, 2001: Howard Says He Has Listened To The Voters But Maintains Government Direction Is Sound
- Mar 17, 2001: A Night Of See-Saw Counting In Ryan By-Election
- Mar 17, 2001: The (Former?) Liberal Party Stronghold of Ryan
- Mar 17, 2001: By-Election: Day Of Reckoning In Ryan
- Mar 13, 2001: Another Poll Shows Coalition In Trouble As Ryan By-Election Nears
- Mar 13, 2001: Howard Speaks About Benevolence
- Mar 02, 2001: Howard Opens Liberal Party Campaign For Ryan By-Election
- Feb 17, 2001: Historic Labor Landslide In Queensland Election; Coalition Decimated; One Nation Wreaks Havoc On The Right
- Feb 14, 2001: The Reshuffled Howard Ministry – February 2001
- Feb 11, 2001: The Difficult Task Of Winning A Third Term
- Jan 31, 2001: Electoral Rorts Snares Would-Be Howard Minister Mal Brough
- Jan 06, 2001: Beyond Ideology: Speech By Tony Abbott
- Oct 16, 2000: Peter Costello on Australian Prime Ministers
- May 28, 2000: A By-Election In Isaacs?
- Apr 16, 2000: John Howard’s Address To The Liberal-National Convention
- Jan 29, 2000: The Next Ten Years: John Howard’s Federation Address
- Dec 10, 1999: 50th Anniversary of Election of Menzies Government
- Dec 09, 1999: John Howard Speech On 50th Anniversary Of Election Of Menzies Government
- Nov 16, 1999: Liberals Reject Kroger In Burwood
- Nov 03, 1999: John Howard’s 2UE Radio Interview with John Laws
- Oct 31, 1999: John Howard’s Speech to the NSW State Convention of the Liberal Party
- Oct 29, 1999: Napthine Coalition Shadow Ministry – Victoria 1999
- Oct 27, 1999: Peter Costello’s Statement in Support of the “Yes” Case
- Mar 05, 1999: Abbott And Costello Defamation Action
- Jan 28, 1999: John Howard: The Australian Way
- Dec 01, 1998: 1998 Federal Election: Two-Party-Preferred Statistics By State And Seat
- Apr 03, 1998: John Howard’s Second Anniversary Speech To NSW Liberals
- Nov 18, 1997: Auditing The Backbones
- Oct 20, 1997: The First Howard Ministry – October 1997
- Nov 26, 1996: Downer: Australia’s Place In The World
- Apr 01, 1996: House Of Representatives Members 1996
- Mar 17, 1996: Howard Government 1996 Cabinet Committees
- Mar 13, 1996: Andrew Robb: The 1996 Federal Election
- Mar 02, 1996: John Howard Claims Victory In 1996 Federal Election
- Dec 13, 1995: National Identity: John Howard Headland Speech
- Oct 13, 1995: Fair Australia: John Howard Headland Speech
- Jun 08, 1995: Howard: Response To Keating’s Republic Proposal
- Jun 06, 1995: The Role of Government: John Howard 1995 Headland Speech
- Apr 01, 1993: Andrew Robb: The 1993 Federal Election
- Mar 13, 1993: John Hewson’s Election Night Concession Speech
- Jan 15, 1993: Liberal Party Video: Fightback!
- Dec 16, 1992: In Final Question Time Before 1993 Election, Keating Lashes Hewson On Fightback!
- Feb 23, 1992: Wills By-Election Campaign Begins
- May 31, 1989: Keating Worries The Government Isn’t Getting Credit For Its Economic Reform Record
- May 23, 1989: Kennett Dumped As Liberal Leader; Peacock Coup Still Dominates Canberra Politics
- May 22, 1989: Sack Call On Liberal Plotters
- May 13, 1989: 1989 Tasmanian State Election
- Jul 11, 1987: John Howard Concedes Defeat In 1987 Federal Election
- Mar 23, 1987: Kennett-Peacock Car Phone Conversation
- Mar 05, 1983: Malcolm Fraser Concedes Defeat In 1983 Federal Election
- Mar 05, 1983: Video Scenes From 1983 Federal Election Night
- Mar 01, 1983: 1983 Federal Election: Liberal Party TV Advertisement
- Feb 15, 1983: Malcolm Fraser’s 1983 Federal Election Policy Speech
- Feb 15, 1983: Norm Gallagher Jailed; Fraser Prepares For Policy Speech; Don Chipp’s Senate Campaign
- Feb 03, 1983: Fraser Calls Early Election As Hawke Replaces Hayden
- May 15, 1978: The Death Of Sir Robert Menzies
- Mar 09, 1971: Malcolm Fraser’s Resignation Speech: “Disloyalty Intolerable And Not To Be Endured”
- Nov 28, 1948: Robert Menzies: Politics As An Art

