Latest news with #NickGreiner
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Liberal chair 'tried to get out of' key leadership gig
A man tasked with helping lead the Liberal Party back from relative obscurity says he didn't even want the job and "tried to get out of it". Former NSW premier Nick Greiner will head a steering committee as the federal takeover of the state's party branch continues for another nine months. But the man who led the state between 1988 and 1992 admitted he was particularly reluctant to chair the seven-person committee of management appointed on Tuesday afternoon. "Frankly, I was not keen to take on the job, it's a difficult, internally focused sort of job," he told ABC radio. "I tried to get out of it but they caught me at Auckland Airport (on Tuesday) at 4.30am and I was weak. "I don't mean to be jocular about it; that is actually true." The federal takeover of the Liberals' NSW branch will continue until April 2026 and Mr Greiner made clear he did not want his role to continue beyond that mark. The move was triggered by the party's failure in August 2024 to nominate more than 140 candidates for statewide local government elections. It was among a series of bungles for the Liberals' NSW division, beset by widespread factional infighting and a sprawling executive committee which acts as a de facto board. Mr Greiner acknowledged the party has a problem with women, a far cry from comments made by one of the men whose position he has replaced. Former committee co-chair Alan Stockdale hit the headlines after the party's crushing loss in the federal election when he told a gathering of female executives on June 3 that Liberal women had become "so assertive" the party might need to consider support for men. "In my political lifetime, we've gone from having a clear and sustained gender majority for women (voters) ... that's now been reversed, so of course it is obvious," Mr Greiner said. "Particularly federal, we have not done as well as we should have, with women, with young people, and indeed with multicultural communities, so there's no point denying that, it's a question of how you fix it." The Liberals lost three of their NSW seats at the federal election and now hold just six statewide. A former senator and state minister will jointly spearhead a review into the party's disastrous federal election loss. The Liberals' primary vote at the federal election in May plummeted to its lowest level since the 1940s, slashing the party's representation in the 150-member House of Representatives to just 28 seats. The party is also in opposition at a state level, where it holds 24 of 93 seats in the lower house.
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Liberals launch high-level probe into election drubbing
A former senator and state minister will jointly spearhead a review into the Liberal Party's disastrous federal election loss. Pru Goward, a former NSW state minister, and ex-federal finance minister Nick Minchin will lead the party's autopsy of the calamitous campaign. The Liberals' primary vote at the federal election in May plummeted to its lowest level since the 1940s, slashing the party's representation in the 150-member House of Representatives to just 43 seats. The review will look at reasons for the low primary vote and the performance by the Liberals among different voter groups. It will examine the long-term challenge for the Liberals posed by independents, with key seats lost to teal candidates. "The review will include examination of the performance of, and lessons arising for the federal secretariat, the parliamentary party, the divisions of the Liberal Party and consultants and service providers used by the party," a party statement read. Submissions will be open until August 1. A federal takeover of the party's embattled NSW state branch has been extended for nine months. Former NSW premier Nick Greiner will take the reins from Victorian stalwarts Alan Stockdale and Richard Alston on the steering committee. The move was welcomed by federal opposition leader Sussan Ley. "Nick Greiner will chair a panel going forward that will be supported by (former state MP) Peta Seaton, who was part of the previous panel that had Alan Stockdale and Richard Alston," she said. "I want to thank them for the work they did in getting the reforming of the rules and constitution within my home state of NSW to this point ... the good work that was done by the previous panel will be transferred." The federal executive will stay in charge of the party until March 30. The federal takeover of the NSW Liberals was triggered by a failure in August 2024 to nominate more than 140 candidates for statewide local government elections. It was among a series of bungles for the party's NSW division, beset by widespread factional infighting and a sprawling executive committee which acts as a de facto board. Former federal opposition leader Peter Dutton described Mr Alston and Mr Stockdale and a then-unknown third person as "a council of wise elders". But Mr Stockdale hit the headlines after the party's crushing loss in the federal election when he told a gathering of female executives on June 3 Liberal women had become "so assertive" the party might need to consider support for men. Ms Ley, the first female leader of the federal coalition, hit back at the comments. "There is nothing wrong with being an assertive woman, in fact I encourage assertive women to join the Liberal Party," she said. "The Liberal Party must reflect, respect and represent modern Australia and that means recognising the strength, merit and leadership of the women in our ranks." Reports on the 2022 federal and 2023 state elections identified concerns about internal party structures including the state executive, and deep frustration in its inability to make timely and necessary decisions. NSW Liberal leader Mark Speakman welcomed the appointment of the new leadership team. "This strong and skilled committee is well placed to support my NSW parliamentary team to take the fight to (premier) Chris Minns and Labor," he said. A former senator and state minister will jointly spearhead a review into the Liberal Party's disastrous federal election loss. Pru Goward, a former NSW state minister, and ex-federal finance minister Nick Minchin will lead the party's autopsy of the calamitous campaign. The Liberals' primary vote at the federal election in May plummeted to its lowest level since the 1940s, slashing the party's representation in the 150-member House of Representatives to just 43 seats. The review will look at reasons for the low primary vote and the performance by the Liberals among different voter groups. It will examine the long-term challenge for the Liberals posed by independents, with key seats lost to teal candidates. "The review will include examination of the performance of, and lessons arising for the federal secretariat, the parliamentary party, the divisions of the Liberal Party and consultants and service providers used by the party," a party statement read. Submissions will be open until August 1. A federal takeover of the party's embattled NSW state branch has been extended for nine months. Former NSW premier Nick Greiner will take the reins from Victorian stalwarts Alan Stockdale and Richard Alston on the steering committee. The move was welcomed by federal opposition leader Sussan Ley. "Nick Greiner will chair a panel going forward that will be supported by (former state MP) Peta Seaton, who was part of the previous panel that had Alan Stockdale and Richard Alston," she said. "I want to thank them for the work they did in getting the reforming of the rules and constitution within my home state of NSW to this point ... the good work that was done by the previous panel will be transferred." The federal executive will stay in charge of the party until March 30. The federal takeover of the NSW Liberals was triggered by a failure in August 2024 to nominate more than 140 candidates for statewide local government elections. It was among a series of bungles for the party's NSW division, beset by widespread factional infighting and a sprawling executive committee which acts as a de facto board. Former federal opposition leader Peter Dutton described Mr Alston and Mr Stockdale and a then-unknown third person as "a council of wise elders". But Mr Stockdale hit the headlines after the party's crushing loss in the federal election when he told a gathering of female executives on June 3 Liberal women had become "so assertive" the party might need to consider support for men. Ms Ley, the first female leader of the federal coalition, hit back at the comments. "There is nothing wrong with being an assertive woman, in fact I encourage assertive women to join the Liberal Party," she said. "The Liberal Party must reflect, respect and represent modern Australia and that means recognising the strength, merit and leadership of the women in our ranks." Reports on the 2022 federal and 2023 state elections identified concerns about internal party structures including the state executive, and deep frustration in its inability to make timely and necessary decisions. NSW Liberal leader Mark Speakman welcomed the appointment of the new leadership team. "This strong and skilled committee is well placed to support my NSW parliamentary team to take the fight to (premier) Chris Minns and Labor," he said. A former senator and state minister will jointly spearhead a review into the Liberal Party's disastrous federal election loss. Pru Goward, a former NSW state minister, and ex-federal finance minister Nick Minchin will lead the party's autopsy of the calamitous campaign. The Liberals' primary vote at the federal election in May plummeted to its lowest level since the 1940s, slashing the party's representation in the 150-member House of Representatives to just 43 seats. The review will look at reasons for the low primary vote and the performance by the Liberals among different voter groups. It will examine the long-term challenge for the Liberals posed by independents, with key seats lost to teal candidates. "The review will include examination of the performance of, and lessons arising for the federal secretariat, the parliamentary party, the divisions of the Liberal Party and consultants and service providers used by the party," a party statement read. Submissions will be open until August 1. A federal takeover of the party's embattled NSW state branch has been extended for nine months. Former NSW premier Nick Greiner will take the reins from Victorian stalwarts Alan Stockdale and Richard Alston on the steering committee. The move was welcomed by federal opposition leader Sussan Ley. "Nick Greiner will chair a panel going forward that will be supported by (former state MP) Peta Seaton, who was part of the previous panel that had Alan Stockdale and Richard Alston," she said. "I want to thank them for the work they did in getting the reforming of the rules and constitution within my home state of NSW to this point ... the good work that was done by the previous panel will be transferred." The federal executive will stay in charge of the party until March 30. The federal takeover of the NSW Liberals was triggered by a failure in August 2024 to nominate more than 140 candidates for statewide local government elections. It was among a series of bungles for the party's NSW division, beset by widespread factional infighting and a sprawling executive committee which acts as a de facto board. Former federal opposition leader Peter Dutton described Mr Alston and Mr Stockdale and a then-unknown third person as "a council of wise elders". But Mr Stockdale hit the headlines after the party's crushing loss in the federal election when he told a gathering of female executives on June 3 Liberal women had become "so assertive" the party might need to consider support for men. Ms Ley, the first female leader of the federal coalition, hit back at the comments. "There is nothing wrong with being an assertive woman, in fact I encourage assertive women to join the Liberal Party," she said. "The Liberal Party must reflect, respect and represent modern Australia and that means recognising the strength, merit and leadership of the women in our ranks." Reports on the 2022 federal and 2023 state elections identified concerns about internal party structures including the state executive, and deep frustration in its inability to make timely and necessary decisions. NSW Liberal leader Mark Speakman welcomed the appointment of the new leadership team. "This strong and skilled committee is well placed to support my NSW parliamentary team to take the fight to (premier) Chris Minns and Labor," he said. A former senator and state minister will jointly spearhead a review into the Liberal Party's disastrous federal election loss. Pru Goward, a former NSW state minister, and ex-federal finance minister Nick Minchin will lead the party's autopsy of the calamitous campaign. The Liberals' primary vote at the federal election in May plummeted to its lowest level since the 1940s, slashing the party's representation in the 150-member House of Representatives to just 43 seats. The review will look at reasons for the low primary vote and the performance by the Liberals among different voter groups. It will examine the long-term challenge for the Liberals posed by independents, with key seats lost to teal candidates. "The review will include examination of the performance of, and lessons arising for the federal secretariat, the parliamentary party, the divisions of the Liberal Party and consultants and service providers used by the party," a party statement read. Submissions will be open until August 1. A federal takeover of the party's embattled NSW state branch has been extended for nine months. Former NSW premier Nick Greiner will take the reins from Victorian stalwarts Alan Stockdale and Richard Alston on the steering committee. The move was welcomed by federal opposition leader Sussan Ley. "Nick Greiner will chair a panel going forward that will be supported by (former state MP) Peta Seaton, who was part of the previous panel that had Alan Stockdale and Richard Alston," she said. "I want to thank them for the work they did in getting the reforming of the rules and constitution within my home state of NSW to this point ... the good work that was done by the previous panel will be transferred." The federal executive will stay in charge of the party until March 30. The federal takeover of the NSW Liberals was triggered by a failure in August 2024 to nominate more than 140 candidates for statewide local government elections. It was among a series of bungles for the party's NSW division, beset by widespread factional infighting and a sprawling executive committee which acts as a de facto board. Former federal opposition leader Peter Dutton described Mr Alston and Mr Stockdale and a then-unknown third person as "a council of wise elders". But Mr Stockdale hit the headlines after the party's crushing loss in the federal election when he told a gathering of female executives on June 3 Liberal women had become "so assertive" the party might need to consider support for men. Ms Ley, the first female leader of the federal coalition, hit back at the comments. "There is nothing wrong with being an assertive woman, in fact I encourage assertive women to join the Liberal Party," she said. "The Liberal Party must reflect, respect and represent modern Australia and that means recognising the strength, merit and leadership of the women in our ranks." Reports on the 2022 federal and 2023 state elections identified concerns about internal party structures including the state executive, and deep frustration in its inability to make timely and necessary decisions. NSW Liberal leader Mark Speakman welcomed the appointment of the new leadership team. "This strong and skilled committee is well placed to support my NSW parliamentary team to take the fight to (premier) Chris Minns and Labor," he said.
ABC News
5 days ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Victorian Liberals dumped from committee running NSW Liberal Party as Nick Greiner takes over
Two senior Victorian Liberals have been dumped from the committee running the troubled NSW Liberal Party, with former NSW premier Nick Greiner called in to take the reins. The Liberal Party on Tuesday decided to extend the federal takeover of the state division by nine months, during a meeting of its top brass in Canberra. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley emerged from the talks to confirm the NSW party would remain in the hands of an appointed panel until March next year — but without former Victorian treasurer Alan Stockdale and ex-Victorian senator Richard Alston at the helm. "I want to thank them for the work they did in getting the reforming of the rules and constitution within my home state of New South Wales to this point," she said. "The good work that has been done by the previous panel will be transferred to the new panel led by Nick Greiner." The move comes a fortnight after Mr Stockdale was widely criticised for saying Liberal women were "sufficiently assertive" and the party should consider "reverse quotas". Mr Stockdale claimed the remarks were made in jest, but some Liberal sources believe the incident was the nail in the coffin of his tenure — which was already unpopular among some colleagues who believed Victorians should not be in charge of the NSW division. Shortly before today's decision was confirmed, NSW Liberal Leader Mark Speakman told reporters in Sydney he would prefer "not to have a committee dominated by Victorians". "I think everyone who serves on that committee is trying to do their best," he said. The federal takeover was launched last year, after the NSW Liberal Party missed the deadline to nominate more than 140 candidates for local government elections, in an embarrassing administrative bungle. Former NSW MP Peta Seaton was also on the original three-person committee appointed to oversee the intervention. She will also be part of the new seven-member team leading the takeover.
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Victorian ocotogenerians dumped from committee running NSW Liberal party but federal intervention continues
The former New South Wales premier Nick Greiner will chair a new committee in charge of the state Liberal division after a federal takeover was extended for nine months. The Liberal party's federal executive voted on Tuesday to install the new body, which will replace a three-person panel announced in September 2024 following a council elections bungle. Two former committee members – Victorian Liberal octogenerians Alan Stockdale and Richard Alston – have been dumped but the third former member, ex-NSW state MP Peta Seaton, will serve on Griener's new seven-person panel. The other members are Jane Buncle, Mark Baillie, Peter O'Hanlon, James Owen and Berenice Walker. The federal executive on Tuesday also signed off on who would lead two separate reviews following the May election – one standard post-election review and another deeper dive into the future of the party. The Liberal party's peak administrative body announced the intervention into the NSW branch last year after the local government election nominations fiasco, installing an administrative committee to run the division for 10 months. Stockdale, Alston and Seaton were charged with reviewing the party's constitution, overhauling the administrative machinery and helping to conduct the federal election campaign. The committee's term was due to expire on 30 June, creating an early test for the new federal Liberal leader, Sussan Ley, as the competing factions in her home state wrangled over the division's future. The federal executive had the option of extending the three-person committee's term or ending the intervention and handing control back to the NSW executive. But a third option emerged in recent weeks, in which a federal-backed committee would remain, but the current members would be replaced with NSW figures. Sign up to Morning Mail Our Australian morning briefing breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion The internal push to replace the committee members gathered momentum after 80-year-old Stockdale said Liberal women were 'sufficiently assertive' and perhaps male candidates needed a leg up. The new seven-member committee will be in place until the end of March 2026. The Liberals went backwards in NSW at the 3 May federal election, losing Bradfield, Banks and Hughes and failing to win any of its target seats. It contributed to the worst result in the Liberal party's 80-year history, with the Coalition reduced to just 43 lower house seats in the next parliament.
