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1994: A Year of Turmoil for the Liberal Party

Mar 21, 2023

Five-a-Day

1994 was a year of turmoil for the Liberal Party.

The year began with Dr. John Hewson as leader of the party, despite his defeat at the 1993 federal election, a defeat that delivered Paul Keating a full term and the Labor government a fifth term.

In May, the dam burst and Hewson was replaced by Alexander Downer, with Peter Costello as his deputy. The duo was dubbed “the dream team”.

By the end of the year, Downer’s brief leadership was in a terminal condition and he was replaced by John Howard early in 1995.

Five-a-Day – 1994

February 24, 1994: Hewson moves a censure motion in the House of Representatves (15m)

February 24, 1994: Keating responds to the censure motion (7m)

May 23, 1994: Newly-elected deputy Liberal leader, Peter Costello comments on the new leadership team (20s)

May 23, 1994: John Hewson’s press conference following his defeat in the leadership contest (8m)

May 23, 1994: Prime Minister Keating comments on the Liberal leadership change (15s)

Filed Under: Five-a-Day Tagged With: , ,

Why Has Gillard Picked September 14?

Jan 30, 2013

Four weeks ago, I published a post speculating on when the election might be held.

You can read the post here. In it, I speculated on the possibility that Gillard could announce the election date sometime around Australia Day.

In essence, I felt that the election date options were fairly limited. I never thought there was any possibility of an early election in the first half of the year. November was a bridge too far. Assuming an election in August, September or October, it seemed to me there were only a couple of real possibilities. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2013 Federal Election, A.L.P., Audio, Election Dates, Gillard, Liberal Party, Opinion, Video Tagged With: , , , ,

Who Says Abbott Should Flick The Switch To Positive?

Dec 12, 2011

Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott have one thing in common: Their lives contain the never-ending irritation of people telling them how they should do their jobs.

AbbottEven their summer break won’t be free of the buzz of gratuitous advice. As much as they must wish to swat it away, politics demands they feign nonchalance.

In their private moments, I kind of hope they rail against the indignity of it. After all, they’re the ones who entered the arena and made it into parliament. As they claw and scramble their way to the top, they must surely know that the rest of us would struggle, as the Americans say, to be elected dog catcher. “Walk in my shoes awhile, you have no idea,” they must sometimes think.

Gillard has had more than her share of advice this year but in recent weeks the political and journalistic establishment has turned its attention to Abbott. The message is a simple one: it’s time to go positive. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Gillard, Liberal Party, Opinion, Opposition Tagged With: , , , ,

John Hewson Criticises John Howard Over Iraq War Involvement

Mar 11, 2003

The former leader of the Liberal Party, John Hewson, has criticised Prime Minister John Howard over Australia’s involvement in the Iraq war.

Hewson said: “This is not our war. This is not a war we should be in.”

Hewson also spoke to SBS News.

  • Listen to John Hewson (4m)
Filed Under: Audio, Howard, Iraq-Afghanistan, Liberal Party Tagged With:
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