Liberal Moderates May Defect to Australian Democrats, Forming a New Party

Australian Democrats leader Senator Cheryl Kernot has predicted that disillusioned Liberal moderates could defect to her party and form a new "Liberal-Democrats Party" after the next federal election. This prediction comes at a time when Liberal state presidents and senior parliamentary Liberals have threatened the preselection of at least three moderates who publicly defended former leader Dr John Hewson after his sacking. The potential exodus is linked to the Liberal Party's conservative stance on social issues and its polarizing of moderates. Senator Kernot believes that if Labor wins the next election, some Liberal moderates could join forces with the Democrats, giving rise to a new political force.

Key Takeaways:

• Senator Cheryl Kernot believes that Liberal moderates could defect to the Australian Democrats and form a new party after the next federal election.
• The prediction comes after Liberal state presidents and senior parliamentary Liberals threatened the preselection of at least three moderates who defended former leader Dr John Hewson.
• The Liberal Party's conservative stance on social issues and its polarizing of moderates has led to disillusionment among some Liberal moderates.
• Three Liberals, including two frontbenchers, considered joining the Australian Democrats last year and there are concerns that the Liberal Party is shifting further to the right.
• Senator Kernot has met with former Liberal Party members who are interested in joining the Democrats and becoming candidates.
• The potential new party would provide a forum for moderate views and would have a real chance to win lower house seats if candidates came as a team.

Statistics:

• At least three Liberal moderates have had their preselections threatened by senior Liberal figures.
• Three Liberals, including two frontbenchers, considered joining the Australian Democrats last year.
• The Australian Democrats have had interest from prominent people who are disillusioned with the Liberal Party, including some who are members who are considering joining the Democrats as a team.
• Senator Kernot predicts that if Labor wins the next election, some Liberal moderates could join forces with the Democrats, giving rise to a new political force.

Sources:

• The Sunday Age
• Senator Cheryl Kernot, leader of the Australian Democrats
• Quotes from Liberal moderates, including Senator Robert Hill and Liberal moderates who requested anonymity