Liberal Party of Australia

three-day meeting held in a small hall not far from Parliament House in Canberra. The meeting was called by the then Leader of the Opposition (United Australia Party) Robert Menzies.
Robert Menzies had already served as Prime Minister of Australia (1939-41), but he believed that the non-Labor parties should unite to present a strong alternative government to the Australian people.
Robert Menzies believed the time was right for a new political force in Australia - one which fought for the freedom of the individual and produced enlightened liberal policies.
It is often said that Robert Menzies stood for the ‘forgotten people’ of Australia; those mainstream Australians whose goals, needs and aspirations had been ignored by Government.

attended the first Canberra conference.
They shared a common belief that Australians should have greater personal freedom and choice than that offered under Labor’s post-war socialist plans.

In opening Robert Menzies address at that meeting, he said:
« ...what we must look for, and it is a matter of desperate importance to our society, is a true revival of liberal thought which will work for social justice and security, for national power and national progress, and for the full development of the individual citizen, though not through the dull and deadening process of socialism».

was adopted, uniting the many different political organizations. Two months later, at the Albury Conference, the Party’s organizational and constitutional framework was drawn up.
The name Liberal was chosen deliberately for its associations with progressive nineteenth century free enterprise and social equality. By May 1945 membership of the Liberal Party had swelled to 40,000.

In 1949 the Liberals, in coalition with the Country Party, were first elected to national government.
Sir Robert Menzies went on to lead Australia and the Liberal Party for 17 years, before he retired from politics in 1966.
The Liberal Party has become Australia’s most successful postwar party; it was elected to Government for 23 years from 1949 to 1972, and for another term of more than seven years from 1975 to 1983.

Coalition with the National Party of Australia, to govern Australia in a landslide win, and in 1998, 2001 & 2004 that government was re-elected.
In 2013, the Abbott Coalition Government took office. In September 2015, Malcolm Turnbull was sworn in as Australia’s 29th Prime Minister. In August 2018, Scott Morrison was elected leader of the Liberal Party and became Australia’s 30th Prime Minister.

clearly defined and separate roles. In the Liberal Party, the Organizational wing cannot dictate policy but consults with and advises the Parliamentary wing, particularly on the development of longer-term policies.

supporters. Across Australia, the Liberal Party has more than 80,000 members in more than 2000 branches which are governed by their respective State Liberal Party structure - known as 'Divisions'. It is responsible for:
Party’s Platform - the broad statement of Liberal fundamental beliefs and intentions
Pre-selection of the Party’s candidates for elections
Management and conduct of election campaigns
Fund-raising

Federal and State Parliamentarians. It is responsible for:
Representation of electorates held by Liberal Party Members of Parliament
Liberal Party’s policies, strategies and parliamentary priorities guided by the principles contained in the Party Platform

one Division for each of the six states, as well as the Australian Capital Territory. The Northern Territory Country Liberal Party is an affiliate of the Liberal Party.
Each of the Liberal Party’s seven Divisions is autonomous and has their own constitutions.
Each Division has its own Party headquarters to service the State Organization, as well as the State Parliamentary Party. They also assist Members of Federal Parliament in their home electorates.
The constitution of each Division lays out the structure of the Party for that State or Territory and lays down the rules of membership, election of office-bearers, pre-selection of candidates for both State and Federal Parliaments, and the policy advisory process.
Each Division undertakes its own fund raising, its relations with other political parties, and the planning and conduct of its election campaigns, in conjunction with the Federal Secretariat.

peoples; and we work towards a lean government that minimises interference in our daily lives; and maximises individual and private sector initiative.
In government that nurtures and encourages its citizens through incentive, rather than putting limits on people through the punishing disincentives of burdensome taxes and the stifling structures of Labor's corporate state and bureaucratic red tape.
In those most basic freedoms of parliamentary democracy - the freedom of thought, worship, speech and association.
In a just and humane society in which the importance of the family and the role of law and justice is maintained.
In equal opportunity for all Australians; and the encouragement and facilitation of wealth so that all may enjoy the highest possible standards of living, health, education and social justice.

That, wherever possible, government should not compete with an efficient private sector; and that businesses and individuals - not government - are the true creators of wealth and employment.
In preserving Australia's natural beauty and the environment for future generations.
That our nation has a constructive role to play in maintaining world peace and democracy through alliance with other free nations.
«In short, we simply believe in individual freedom and free enterprise; and if you share this belief, then ours is the Party for you».