Canberra Liberals

Canberra Liberals
Leader	Alistair Coe
Ideology	Liberalism Liberal conservatism Classical liberalism
Political position	centre-right
National affiliation	Liberal Party of Australia
Legislative Assembly	11 / 25
Website
http://canberraliberals.org.au/
Politics of Australia Political parties Elections

The Canberra Liberals, officially the Liberal Party of Australia (Australian Capital Territory Division),^[1] is the division of the Liberal Party of Australia in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The party has been in opposition in the ACT Legislative Assembly for much of its existence, but held power with the support of minor parties and independents between 1989 and 1991 and again between 1995 and 2001.

History

The first Liberal branch in Canberra was formed in order to field a candidate in the newly created Division of Australian Capital Territory at the 1949 federal election. The first meeting of the branch was held at the Albert Hall on 27 January 1949. The inaugural meeting of the Canberra women's branch was held on 29 June 1949. By 1961, there were three branches of the Liberal Party in the ACT, and a branch of the Young Liberals was created around the same time.^[2]

The party held a number of seats in the Australian Capital Territory House of Assembly throughout its existence. In the first election under self-government in 1989 the Liberal Party won four seats.^[3] The Liberals were led in the Assembly by Trevor Kaine, initially in opposition but in December 1989 the party formed a coalition known as the Alliance with the Residents Rally that lasted from December 1989 until June 1991 when a dispute over school closures broke up the coalition and returned the parties to opposition.^[4] Kaine was briefly replaced as leader by Gary Humphries,^[5] but regained the position a month later.^[6] Two years later he was replaced by Kate Carnell.^[7]

At the 1995 election the Liberals won 7 seats^[8] and Carnell formed a minority government with the support of independent members Michael Moore and Paul Osborne who would both subsequently serve as ministers. Carnell served as Chief Minister until October 2000 when she resigned in advance of a no confidence motion over the increased costs of the Canberra Stadium.^[9] She was succeeded by Humphries but the party lost power in the 2001 election.^[10] It has been in opposition since.^[11]

Leaders

Election results

Election	Seats won	±	Total votes	%	Position	Leader
1989	4 / 17	4	21,088	14.87%	Opposition	Trevor Kaine
1992	6 / 17	2	45,203	29.03%	Opposition	Trevor Kaine
1995	7 / 17	1	66,895	40.48%	Minority government	Kate Carnell
1998	7 / 17	0	68,221	37.83%	Coalition	Kate Carnell
2001	7 / 17	0	60,390	31.64%	Opposition	Gary Humphries
2004	7 / 17	0	71,083	34.81%	Opposition	Brendan Smyth
2008	6 / 17	1	66,861	31.56%	Opposition	Zed Seselja
2012	8 / 17	2	86,032	38.90%	Opposition	Zed Seselja
2016	11 / 25	3	89,632	36.72%	Opposition	Jeremy Hanson

See also

• Category:Liberal Party of Australia members of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly

References

External links

• Canberra Liberals