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The Liberal Party is beginning the arduous journey today to win back seats lost to “teal independents” at the last election.
For the first time in history, The Coalition does not hold one harbourside or seaside electorate in the entire metropolitan Sydney area. Except for Cronulla, but even the Liberal Party does not respect any voters who willingly re-elected Scott Morrison as a local MP after his last term of government.
Anyone who jumped ship to vote for these Independents will very loudly argue that the Liberal Party lost them after it became clear they had abandoned its socially liberal roots – opting to focus on the boomer Christian culture wars.
The Teal independents, simply known as teals, are a loosely-aligned group of female MPs who advocate for Small-L Liberalism, fiscal responsibility, LGBTI rights and climate action.
In the 2022 election, the affluent and moderate voters of Perth, Melbourne and Sydeny wiped the floor with the Liberal Party, electing Zali Steggall, Allegra Spender, Kylea Tink, Monique Ryan, Kate Chaney, Zoe Daniel and Sophie Scamps.
However, before this teal wave effectively ruled out Morrison’s chances of making the numbers required to form government, he Liberal Party’s initial response to the growing momentum of these independents was to describe them as ‘doctor’s wives’ who were ‘enjoying a midlife frollic’.
This was a strategy the Coalition now regrets.
With the Liberals losing all of their promising moderate MPs in these once safe blue ribbon seats – it seems the party must now focus on winning back these 7 crucial teal electorates.
But how?
By pre-selecting some fresh blood into the party. Candidates who appeal to uppity female voters who have stopped voting the same way as their husbands. Candidates who have the community’s interests at heart. Diverse candidates.
And today the Liberal Party has named these 7 secret weapons for the 2025 election.
Graham, Paul, Ken, Bruce, Frank, Lloyd And Paul.
The Betoota Advocate spoke to these hopeful candidates earlier.
“I think Peter Dutton appeals to my community, we just need the right face at a local level” says the Wentworth candidate, Paul (68)
“Yes. It isn’t like Liberal is a dirty word in the surf club. It’s just that they want a Liberal that looks and talk like them” says the Curtin candidate also named Paul (68)
When asked if he thinks the new faces offer enough diversity to the ever changing electorate, Warringah Candidate, Lloyd (68) says most definitely.
“We aren’t all the same. In no way is that the case. A couple of these men were raised Catholic, a couple Anglican. We’ve even got a Luthern and a Presbyterian entering the ranks haha”
Kooyong candidate, Ken (68) says there shouldn’t be any lack of confidence in their ability to work with others and negotiate policy either.
“All of the Melbourne candidates have known and worked with each other for decades. In fact, they were all in the same year at Geelong Grammar”
“The same goes for the Sydney candidates, we all went to Cranbrook together too. We know each other and know how to work in a team. It’s not just an Old Boys thing either. In fact, all seven us holiday in Port Douglas together every winter, and all of our sons attend Bond University together. We aren’t just some run of the mill reserve bench”
While the pre-selections are yet to be confirmed, the party powerbrokers have given written assurances to all 7 candidates confirming that their time is now, and the membership base understand how important it is to get the right people in these seats.
