Dan Jervis-Bardy

1 week ago | theguardian.com | Dan Jervis-Bardy

The firebrand Northern Territory senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has defected to the Liberals in a move that could have major implications in the race to replace Peter Dutton. The Country Liberal senator announced on Thursday she would switch from the Nationals to the Liberal party room, where she believed she could be more “effective” in fighting for the “best interests of all Australians”. As a Country Liberal, Price can choose to sit with either the Nationals or Liberals.

1 week ago | theguardian.com | Dan Jervis-Bardy

The race for the Liberal leadership is becoming bitter as Angus Taylor’s allies dismiss speculation he is poised to pull out and clear the path for Sussan Ley to lead the party rebuild after Saturday’s election disaster. It comes as Peter Dutton made his first brief remarks since his concession speech on Saturday night, saying he intended to make a “graceful exit” from politics.

1 week ago | theguardian.com | Dan Jervis-Bardy

The next Liberal leader must be prepared to be regularly criticised and challenged as the party wrestles with its future, MPs have said, as recriminations from the federal election disaster intensify. As leadership contenders Angus Taylor, Sussan Ley and Dan Tehan canvass support ahead of a vote expected next week, colleagues are warning whoever steps into the role to brace for the sort of robust internal debates that they say were stymied under Peter Dutton.

1 week ago | theguardian.com | Dan Jervis-Bardy |Josh Butler

Labor is expected to further grow its numbers in the Senate, allowing it to pass legislation with only the support of the Greens in a power shift that could sideline previously influential crossbenchers such as David Pocock. The Coalition’s election disaster looks likely to claim another casualty, with the Nationals’ deputy leader, Perin Davey, poised to lose her New South Wales Senate seat.

1 week ago | theguardian.com | Tom McIlroy |Dan Jervis-Bardy

Senior Liberals are warning that the party must urgently reconnect with traditional supporters, women and younger Australians if it is to find a pathway back to relevance, describing John Howard’s broad church as “broken” after Saturday’s election drubbing.