Liberal Party Director Analyses Election Defeat

Dec 19, 2007

Brian Loughnane, Federal Director, Liberal PartyThe Liberal Party’s Federal Director, Brian Loughnane, has addressed the National Press Club on the coalition’s election defeat.

Loughnane said it was clear the coalition’s defeat was attributable to longer term strategic issues than short term tactical issues of recent months.

Click on the play button to listen to Loughnane’s address:

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Filed Under: 2007 Federal Election, Audio, Electoral Behaviour, Howard Government, Liberal Party Tagged With: , , , ,

Nelson Announces Shadow Ministry

Dec 06, 2007

The Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Brendan Nelson, has announced the coalition’s new shadow ministry.

Nelson has drawn on the experience of former Howard government ministers such as Julie Bishop, Joe Hockey, Nick Minchin, Malcolm Turnbull and Andrew Robb. He has elevated new faces such as Tony Smith, Greg Hunt, Bob Baldwin, Andrew Southcott, Margaret May, Sussan Ley and Pat Farmer.

Nelson said: “The new Coalition team strikes the right balance between fresh faces and experience.”

This is the text of a media release from the Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Brendan Nelson.

Dr. Brendan Nelson, Leader of the OppositionI am pleased to announce today the new Coalition frontbench.

The new Coalition team strikes the right balance between fresh faces and experience. The Shadow Ministry has been chosen on the basis of both proven performance and new members with the potential to contribute to the Coalition over the longer term.

This team has the drive, skills, experience and commitment to offer a credible, viable and attractive alternative Government.

Julie Bishop will take on the important role of Shadow Minister for Employment, Business and Workplace Relations. As the Deputy Leader, Ms Bishop will hold the Government to account and work to ensure the significant employment gains of the past decade are not eroded.

Opposition Senate Leader Nick Minchin will assume responsibility as Shadow Minister for Defence. Senator Minchin is one of the Coalition’s most experienced and skilful operators. His talents are greatly valued by the Liberals and Nationals.

Along with his role as Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Senator Eric Abetz becomes Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.

Malcolm Turnbull will serve as my key economic spokesman as Shadow Treasurer. Malcolm’s economic experience, drive and intellect will be highly valued on the Coalition frontbench.

The Nationals’ Leader Warren Truss will serve as Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Local Government. As our valued Coalition partner, I look forward to working closely with Mr Truss and his colleagues.

Senator Nigel Scullion will provide an alternative to the Government’s approach on Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

John Cobb will serve as Shadow Minister for Regional Development and Water Security.

Andrew Robb takes on the important and challenging role of Shadow Foreign Minister. Mr Robb is a proven safe pair of hands. Andrew’s experience will be a great asset to the Coalition team I look forward to his valued contribution on the frontbench.

Joe Hockey will hold the Government to account on Health, while Peter Dutton becomes Shadow Finance Minister, Ian MacFarlane becomes Shadow Trade Minister and Tony Abbott takes on responsibility for Families, Community Services, Indigenous Affairs and the Voluntary Sector.

Senator Chris Ellison becomes Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Helen Coonan takes on Human Services, Senator George Brandis becomes Shadow Attorney General, while Senator David Johnston brings his drive and talents to the position of Shadow Minister for Resources and Energy and Tourism.

Tony Smith, Bruce Billson and Greg Hunt also join the Shadow Cabinet. Mr Smith’s energy, skills and talent make him the ideal candidate to take on the Government in the important Education portfolio. I have also added the important areas of Apprenticeships and Training to Tony’s responsibilities.

Bruce Billson will enthusiastically develop the alternative Government’s plans for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.

Greg Hunt becomes Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Urban Water. Greg will work tirelessly in this critically important portfolio.

There are a number of new faces in the Outer Shadow Ministry.

Senator Michael Ronaldson brings his considerable experience and talents as Shadow Special Minister of State. I welcome Michael Keenan to the frontbench as Shadow Assistant Treasurer and Steven Ciobo as Shadow Minister for Small Business, the Service Economy and Tourism.

Christopher Pyne becomes Shadow Minister for Justice and Border Protection, Sharman Stone takes on Environment, Heritage, the Arts and Indigenous Affairs and Bronwyn Bishop returns in the role of Shadow Veterans Affairs Minister.

The Nationals’ Luke Hartsuyker will take up the position of Shadow Minister for Business Development, Independent Contractors and Consumer Affairs.

Bob Baldwin, Andrew Southcott, Margaret May, Sussan Ley and Pat Farmer also join the Coalition frontbench.

The following Members and Senators will serve as Shadow Parliamentary Secretaries; Cory Bernardi, Richard Colbeck, Mark Coulton, John Forrest, Jo Gash, Barry Haase, Peter Lindsay, Ian Macdonald, Louise Markus, Brett Mason, Sophie Mirabella, Marise Payne and Don Randall.

Filed Under: 2007 Federal Election, Howard Government, Liberal Party, Opposition Tagged With: , , , , ,

Coalition Shadow Ministry From December 6, 2007

Dec 06, 2007

The new Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Brendan Nelson, has announced the coalition’s shadow ministry.

The team comprises a mix of former Howard government ministers and new faces.

This is the Shadow Ministry as announced by Dr. Brendan Nelson.

Shadow Cabinet

  1. Brendan Nelson – Leader of the Opposition
  2. Julie Bishop – Deputy Leader of the Opposition; Employment, Business and Workplace Relations
  3. Warren Truss – Leader of The Nationals; Infrastructure and Transport and Local Government
  4. Senator Nick Minchin – Leader of the Opposition in the Senate; Defence
  5. Senator Eric Abetz – Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate; Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
  6. Malcolm Turnbull – Treasury
  7. Joe Hockey – Health and Ageing; Leader of Opposition Business in the House
  8. Andrew Robb – Foreign Affairs
  9. Ian MacFarlane – Trade
  10. Tony Abbott – Families, Community Services, Indigenous Affairs and the Voluntary Sector
  11. Senator Nigel Scullion – Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
  12. Senator Helen Coonan – Human Services
  13. Tony Smith – Education, Apprenticeships and Training
  14. Greg Hunt – Climate Change, Environment and Urban Water
  15. Peter Dutton – Finance, Competition Policy and Deregulation
  16. Senator Chris Ellison – Immigration and Citizenship; Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate
  17. Senator George Brandis – Attorney General
  18. Senator David Johnston – Resources and Energy, Tourism
  19. John Cobb – Regional Development, Water Security

Outer Shadow Ministry

  1. Chris Pyne – Justice, Border Protection and Assisting Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship
  2. Senator Michael Ronaldson – Shadow Special Minister of State
  3. Steven Ciobo – Small Business, the Service Economy and Tourism
  4. Sharman Stone – Environment, Heritage, the Arts and Indigenous Affairs
  5. Michael Keenan – Shadow Assistant Treasurer, Superannuation and Corporate Governance
  6. Margaret May – Ageing
  7. Bob Baldwin – Defence Science, Personnel and Assisting Shadow Minister for Defence
  8. Luke Hartsuyker – Business Development, Independent Contractors and Consumer Affairs; Deputy Leader of Opposition Business in the House
  9. Bronwyn Bishop – Veterans’ Affairs
  10. Andrew Southcott – Employement Participation and Apprenticeships and Training
  11. Sussan Ley – Housing, Status of Women
  12. Pat Farmer – Youth and Sport

Shadow Parliamentary Secretaries

  1. Don Randall – Assisting the Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Cabinet Secretary
  2. Senator Ian Macdonald – Assisting the Leader of the Opposition, Northern Australia
  3. Senator Richard Colbeck – Health
  4. Senator Brett Mason – Education
  5. Peter Lindsay – Defence
  6. Barry Haase – Infrastructure, Roads and Transport
  7. John Forrest – Trade
  8. Louise Markus – Immigration and Citizenship
  9. Sophie Mirabella – Local Government
  10. Jo Gash – Tourism
  11. Mark Coultan – Ageing and the Voluntary Sector
  12. Senator Marise Payne – Foreign Affairs
  13. Senator Cory Bernardi – Families, Community Services
Filed Under: 2007 Federal Election, Audio, Audio2007, Howard Government, Liberal Party, Opposition Tagged With: , , , , ,

Brendan Nelson Elected Liberal Party Leader In Close Vote

Nov 29, 2007

Brendan Nelson, Leader of the OppositionBrendan Nelson has been elected leader of the Liberal Party, defeating Malcolm Turnbull by 45 votes to 42.

Julie Bishop, the outgoing Education Minister, has been elected deputy leader. Sky News reports that she garnered 44 votes, Andrew Robb 25 and Christopher Pyne 18.

Bishop holds the seat of Curtin in Western Australia, the only state to withstand the swing to the ALP in Saturday’s election.

The election of Nelson and Bishop marks the first time in decades that the Liberal Party’s leaders do not include a Victorian.

  • Listen to Peter Costello Announce the Leaders:

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Nelson Appoints Turnbull Shadow Treasurer, Supports Kyoto Ratification

Nov 29 – 3.10pm – The newly-elected Leader of the Opposition, Brendan Nelson, has appointed Malcolm Turnbull Shadow Treasurer. Nelson also offered support for the ratification of the Kyoto treaty.

Giving his first press conference since defeating Turnbull 45-42 earlier today, Nelson spoke of his Labor-oriented family background and the role education played in his life.

He said he wanted to discuss the future of federal intervention in Northern Territory aboriginal communities with the incoming prime minister, Kevin Rudd. Nelson’s deputy, Julie Bishop, will be the shadow minister for Industrial Relations.

Within hours of Nelson’s elevation to the Liberal leadership, the ALP had NelsonFacts online.

  • Listen to the Press Conference held by Brendan Nelson and Julie Bishop:

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  • Listen to Malcolm Turnbull’s reaction to the Liberal leadership election:

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Filed Under: 2007 Federal Election, Audio, Audio2007, Howard Government, Liberal Party, Opposition Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Abbott Withdraws From Liberal Leadership Contest

Nov 28, 2007

The outgoing Health Minister, Tony Abbott, has withdrawn from the Liberal Party leadership ballot on Thursday.

Malcolm Turnbull and Brendan Nelson will contest the position with Turnbull looking more likely to win.

The deputy’s position is a three-way contest between Andrew Robb, Julie Bishop and Christopher Pyne.

Filed Under: 2007 Federal Election, Howard Government, Liberal Party Tagged With: , , , , ,

Malcolm Turnbull First To Declare In Race For Liberal Leadership

Nov 25, 2007

Malcolm Turnbull is the only declared candidate for the Liberal leadership, following Peter Costello’s decision to quit active politics.

It is reported by various media that Brendan Nelson and Tony Abbott are considering nominating.

Christopher Pyne has said he will nominate for the deputy leadership. Pyne, the member for Sturt in South Australia, is clinging to a narrow lead after experiencing a 6.17% swing against him.

 

Filed Under: 2007 Federal Election, Howard Government, Liberal Party Tagged With: , , , ,

Costello To Quit Politics; Will Not Seek Or Accept Liberal Leadership

Nov 25, 2007

The Treasurer in the defeated coalition government, Peter Costello, has announced that he “will not seek and will not accept” the leadership or deputy leadership of the Liberal Party.

Speaking at a press conference in Melbourne, Costello said: “I will continue to serve my constituents and in serving my constituents I hope that I will have a role to play perhaps mentoring some of the newer MPs.” Significantly, he did not commit to serving the full three years of the term he was elected to yesterday.

Costello said he “will be looking to build a career post-politics in the commercial world”.

Costello has been deputy leader of the Liberal Party since May 23, 1994. He was been Treasurer since the Howard government was elected in 1996. His decision to vacate the field will likely lead to a contest between outgoing ministers such as Malcolm Turnbull, Brendan Nelson, Tony Abbott, Joe Hockey and Julie Bishop. [Read more...]

Filed Under: 2007 Federal Election, Audio, Howard Government, Liberal Party Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Costello To Quit Politics; Won’t Seek Leadership

Nov 25, 2007

Nov 25 – 12.45pm – The outgoing Treasurer, Peter Costello, has announced that he will not seek the leadership of the Liberal Party following its defeat at yesterday’s election.

Costello said he would serve out his three-year term as the member for Higgins and would leave politics at the next election.

Adapting the words of former United States President Lyndon Johnson, Costello said: “I will not seek and I will not accept the leadership of the Liberal Party.”

Can Turnbull Snatch The Prize?

Nov 25 – 1.00pm – Political attention will now focus on whether the member for Wentworth, Malcolm Turnbull, can secure the leadership of the Federal Liberal Party.

Turnbull won a second term in the House of Representatives at yesterday’s election, withstanding a concerted attempt to unseat him. He nearly won the seat on primary votes.

Other likely contenders for the leadership are Brendan Nelson and Joe Hockey. Alexander Downer will also be called on to make his intentions clear. Julie Bishop could be a contender but is more likely to seek the deputy’s position.

Nightmare For Liberal Party Worsens, Or Does It?

Nov 25 – 1.15pm – Whilst some will see Peter Costello’s departure as a worsening nightmare for the Liberal Party, following its defeat in yesterday’s election, the decision also represents an opportunity to move to a new generation of leadership untainted by the Howard-Costello years.

Conversely, the decision by Costello robs his party of a strong parliamentary performer with experience in government.

For Kevin Rudd, the development represents a stunning defeat of his two major opponents in the coalition government.

  • Listen to Peter Costello’s Announcement:

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  • FULL REPORT WITH AUDIO
Filed Under: 2007 Federal Election, Howard Government, Liberal Party Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Liberal Party Campaigns On Economic Management

Nov 07, 2007

Following the interest rate increase announced by the Reserve Bank, the Liberal Party has maintained its election campaign emphasis on economic management.

An email sent to subscribers after the interest rate announcement reiterates the coalition’s “proven record of economic management”, contrasting this with “the prospect of the most inexperienced and union-dominated government in a generation”.

This is the text of the subscriber email from the Liberal Party, following the interest rate increase.

THE IMPORTANCE OF STRONG ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT

Our economy is experiencing increasing external pressures.

The Coalition’s commitment is to protect Australia and our way of life against these pressures.

The Reserve Bank’s decision on interest rates further highlights the need for strong, careful management to secure our economy and grow Australia’s prosperity in the years ahead.

Australians face a clear choice at the coming election:

An experienced Coalition team with a proven record of strong economic management,

or

The prospect of the most inexperienced and union-dominated government in a generation managing our economy and interest rates.

Filed Under: 2007 Federal Election, Howard Government, Liberal Party, Reserve Bank Tagged With: , ,

I’ll Retire During Next Term: Howard

Sep 12, 2007

John Howard bluffs his Party yet againJohn Howard has pledged to retire at some time during his fifth term as Prime Minister, assuming he is re-elected later this year.

Speaking on the ABC’s 7.30 Report, Howard said:

“If the Australian people are good enough and kind enough to re-elect me again, there are a lot of things I want to do, and I would want to approach those things with enormous energy. But I would expect well into my term, and after those things have been implemented and battered down, I would probably, certainly form the view well into my term, that it makes sense for me to retire, and in those circumstances, I would expect, although it would be a matter for the Party to determine if Peter would take over.

“…I’ve thought this through, and what I’m saying to the Australian people is I want to be re-elected, there are a lot of things I want to do for them. But well into my term, I would come to the conclusion that it would be in the best interests of everybody if I retired, and in those circumstances, I would expect Peter to take over, but that would be a matter for the Party. Now, that is the honest truth, and I think most of your viewers believe it would be the case.”

Questioned on whether this means the Australian people will be asked to vote for not one but two prime ministers, Howard said:

“They’ll be voting for a team, and I think that’s good. I think actually this election if it’s a contest between teams as well as a contest between Howard and Rudd is a good thing … I’m asking people to vote for somebody who levels with them. I don’t think Steve Bracks and Peter Beattie levelled with their respective publics. I mean, what changed their circumstances between their elections and when they retired? I mean, the glib thing is to say to people you’re going to serve three years even though you know in your heart that may not be the case. Well, I am not going to embrace the glib option. That was the approach taken by others, it’s not the approach that I am going to take.”

Howard’s announcement will alter the dynamics of the forthcoming election campaign. The ALP can be expected to argue against the value of electing a prime minister who will not see out his 3-year term, whilst capitalising on the negative perceptions the polls indicate the electorate has about Peter Costello.

The campaign in Howard’s Sydney electorate of Bennelong will also be affected by today’s announcement. In his ABC interview, Howard left open the possibility of remaining in the Parliament as a backbencher following his retirement as prime minister.

Filed Under: 2007 Federal Election, Howard Government, Liberal Party Tagged With: , ,