Politics with Michelle Grattan: Keith Wolahan on when Liberals should preference One Nation
The Liberal Party is now “fighting for its existence”, according to one of its own former federal MPs. After the low of the 2025 federal election defeat, the party’s position as the major force in Australian conservative politics in under threat from an ascendant One Nation. This weekend’s meeting of the party’s federal council in Melbourne will install former prime minister Tony Abbott as federal president. Behind the scenes, it will also see some internal soul-searching, wh
A former Liberal MP, Keith Wolahan, has stated that the Liberal Party is "fighting for its existence" amid concerns about One Nation's growing influence. Wolahan believes recent election results and polls, including one suggesting One Nation could win over a third of federal seats, serve as repeated warnings to the party. He advocates for the Liberals to consider preferencing One Nation in certain electorates as a strategic move to help form a future Coalition government.
Wolahan emphasized that such decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis, assessing individual candidates and the overall mathematical advantage. He argued that while the Liberal Party's goal is to defeat opponents, its primary focus must be on achieving a Coalition majority to avoid prolonged periods in opposition.
This discussion highlights internal Liberal Party debates about electoral strategy and potential alliances in the face of declining support and the rise of minor parties, which could significantly impact the future political landscape.
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