Canberra Liberals Leader Elizabeth Lee Aims to End 23 Years of Labor Government
Elizabeth Lee, the leader of the Canberra Liberals, expressed optimism about the upcoming territory election in October. She believes that her party has a strong chance of defeating the Labor government, potentially ending their 23-year dominance in the political landscape.
Notably, Canberra has not seen a Liberal chief minister since Gary Humphries’ defeat in 2001. Additionally, the Canberra Liberals have not held government since 1998, highlighting the prolonged period of Labor rule in the region.
Despite facing challenges in recent elections, with a decline in their primary vote from 38.9% in 2012 to 33.8% in 2020, the Canberra Liberals remain determined to make significant gains. Currently holding only nine out of the 25 seats in the Legislative Assembly and lacking federal representation, the party is striving to strengthen its position.
Elizabeth Lee acknowledged the hurdles ahead, recognizing that achieving four additional seats and securing a majority government will be a formidable task. The proportional representation system of the ACT’s Hare-Clark electoral process adds complexity to the Canberra Liberals’ electoral ambitions.
**Canberra Liberals Leader Elizabeth Lee Eyes Ending 23 Years of Labor Government**
**Canberra Liberals leader, Elizabeth Lee, is determined to end the 23-year reign of the Labor government.** According to Elizabeth Lee, winning a majority government and securing four extra seats at this year’s territory election will pose a significant challenge. The only instance of a majority ACT government was formed by Labor’s Jon Stanhope in October 2004 following the tragic Canberra bushfires.
Elizabeth Lee expressed optimism in October, stating that her party currently has its “best chance in a long time” to overthrow the long-standing Labor and Greens MLAs after more than two decades in opposition. She highlighted that even traditional Labor supporters have voiced their dissatisfaction over the past 18 months to two years, indicating a shift in sentiment. Lee emphasized the emergence of independent candidates in the political landscape, suggesting potential changes on the horizon.
Independents’ Support Crucial for Elizabeth Lee to Secure Chief Minister Position
Antony Green, the chief election analyst at ABC, suggests that for the Canberra Liberals, led by Elizabeth Lee, to have a shot at ending the 23-year reign of the Labor government in the ACT, they will need a substantial increase in their primary vote. Currently, the Labor Party holds ten seats in the ACT Legislative Assembly, with Chief Minister Andrew Barr in power alongside the Greens, who hold six seats. The left-right balance stands at 16 to nine, making it a challenging landscape for the Liberals, as noted by Antony Green. He highlights the dominance of Labor and the Greens in terms of vote share, making it incredibly tough for the Liberals to secure a majority government in the ACT. However, there is a potential pathway for the Liberals if they manage to secure additional seats in central Canberra and Tuggeranong. This path to government would only materialize if at least two independents manage to defeat sitting Labor or Greens MLAs, which is currently not the case in the legislative assembly. Antony Green points out the dilemma faced by the Liberal Party in relying on independents, as these independents would need to draw votes away from Labor and the Greens to be viable. If independents also siphon votes from the Liberal Party, the road to victory becomes even more challenging for them.
Canberra Liberals Leader Elizabeth Lee Focuses on Cost of Living and Suburban Neglect
Elizabeth Lee, the leader of the Canberra Liberals, emphasized that their upcoming election campaign will prioritize addressing the high cost of living in Canberra and the perceived neglect of suburbs.
She highlighted that her party is actively examining issues related to zoning, housing affordability, and has reaffirmed their decision to not proceed with the extension of the light rail to Woden.
Regarding the proposed Stage 2B of the light rail project, Lee pointed out significant differences compared to the initial stage, expressing concerns about the current circumstances.
Notably, there have been instances where members of the federal coalition have attempted to intervene in the ACT’s affairs, particularly concerning drug decriminalization.
When questioned about her interactions with federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to address these interventions, Lee confirmed that she had discussions with some of her federal colleagues on the matter, emphasizing her unwavering stance on advocating for Canberra’s best interests.
Lee reiterated her commitment to standing up for Canberrans and prioritizing what she believes aligns with the city’s overall well-being.
Canberra Liberals Replace Jeremy Hanson with Leanne Castley
Canberra Liberals leader, Elizabeth Lee, made a significant move at the end of last year by replacing conservative party member Jeremy Hanson with health spokeswoman Leanne Castley as deputy leader. This decision marked a shift within the party, especially considering the internal dynamics between conservative and moderate members.
Jeremy Hanson, a veteran MLA, had previously voiced his opposition to the Voice to Parliament referendum, putting him at odds with Elizabeth Lee on certain party matters. Despite the past disagreements and tensions, Elizabeth Lee expressed confidence in the unity of her team moving forward.
“In politics, differences are inevitable,” remarked Ms. Lee. “However, our collective focus remains on working together effectively to bring about a change of government in October.”
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