Key facts
- Liberal frontbencher Melissa McIntosh called for the party to "rebrand" to win back voters.
- The Coalition's primary vote fell to a historic low of 17% in a recent Newspoll.
- Opposition leader Angus Taylor admitted the party breached voter trust during the Covid pandemic by supporting "big government".
- Labor politicians Anthony Albanese and Clare O’Neil criticized the Liberal party's internal discussions.
- Andrew Hastie defended Angus Taylor's leadership and policy development efforts.
Liberal frontbencher Melissa McIntosh has suggested the party needs a "rebrand" to regain voter support, as the Coalition faces historic polling lows. McIntosh stated that some perceive the party as "stuck in the past" and that its policies must resonate with contemporary Australia.
Her comments came as opposition leader Angus Taylor acknowledged that the Morrison government had "breached trust" with the electorate during the Covid pandemic by supporting "big government." Taylor defended his leadership, stating that while the Coalition was in "freefall" previously, it is now "solid as a rock," though rebuilding trust will take time.
The Coalition's primary vote has dropped to 17% in a recent Newspoll, trailing Labor (33%) and One Nation (29%). McIntosh's remarks were met with ridicule from Labor figures, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Housing Minister Clare O’Neil, who contrasted the Coalition's internal struggles with Labor's clear identity.
Despite the polling challenges, some Liberal MPs, like Andrew Hastie, have backed Taylor's leadership and policy development process, emphasizing the need for patience. Senator Jonno Duniam attributed the party's difficulties to being "lost in the wash" in a competitive political landscape.