Where to now for the Coalition? The aftermath of the 2022 federal election, and the advent of an era of big government which has swept much of the western world, has ushered in a period of soul searching for the Australian centre-right – but it is crucial to remember that this is not without precedent. The 1940s and 1980s were similarly wilderness years that ultimately acted as the springboard for the two longest serving governments in Australian history. The key is to use Opposition productively, and to ensure that when the Coalition eventually does return to office, it has a clear sense of purpose.

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Want to hear more? Listen to Harry Stutchbury talk about liberal policies for the present

Want to learn more? Read our On This Day article about how the Liberal Party of Australia got its name

Bonus fact:

Robert Menzies was a member of two different centre-right parties before he founded the Liberal Party. Much of his early career was spent pushing for what he described as a ‘politics of principle’ in which policy would be based on clearly articulated philosophy, rather than vested interests and electoral imperatives.

David Stevens has spent the last 30 years leading major strategy and policy reform projects for public and private sector clients across the globe. He worked for Prime Minister Howard in the 1990s.