Liberal Party of Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Liberal Party of Australia
Abbreviation	LP
Leader	Sussan Ley
Deputy Leader	Ted O'Brien
Senate Leader	Michaelia Cash
Deputy Senate Leader	Anne Ruston
President	John Olsen
Founder	Robert Menzies
Founded	13 October 1944; 80 years ago (13 October 1944)
Preceded by	United Australia
Headquarters	R. G. Menzies House, Barton, Australian Capital Territory
Think tank	Menzies Research Centre
Student wing	Liberal Students' Federation
Youth wing	Young Liberals
Women's wing	Federal Women's Committee
Overseas wing	Australian Liberals Abroad
Membership (2020)	70,000–80,000
Ideology	Conservatism (Australian) Liberalism (Australian) Liberal conservatism
Political position	Centre-right to right-wing
National affiliation	Liberal–National Coalition
Regional affiliation	Asia Pacific Democracy Union
International affiliation	International Democracy Union
Factions	Centrists Moderates Centre Right National Right
Colours	Blue
Governing body	Federal Council
Party branches	ACT NI NSW NT Qld SA Tas Vic WA
House of Representatives	41 / 150
Senate	24 / 76
State and territorial governments	3 / 8
State and territorial lower house members	165 / 465
State upper house members	41 / 155
Politics of Australia Political parties

The Liberal Party of Australia (often called the LP) is a major political party in Australia. It is known as a centre-right party. This means its ideas are usually more traditional and focus on individual freedom and smaller government. It is one of the two main parties in Australian politics, the other being the Australian Labor Party (ALP).

The Liberal Party started in 1944. It took over from an older party called the United Australia Party. Historically, the Liberal Party has won more elections than any other party in Australia's history. Currently, it is in opposition at the national level. However, it leads the government in the Northern Territory, Queensland, and Tasmania.

The Liberal Party works closely with the National Party of Australia to form a group called the Coalition. They have worked together in government and opposition since the Liberal Party began. The Coalition was in power from 2013 to 2022. During this time, they formed the governments led by Abbott (2013–2015), Turnbull (2015–2018), and Morrison (2018–2022).

The current Leader of the Liberal Party is Sussan Ley. She is also the Leader of the Opposition. Sussan Ley became leader in May 2025. She is the first woman to hold both these important positions. Two past leaders, Sir Robert Menzies and John Howard, are Australia's two longest-serving Prime Ministers.

The Liberal Party has a federal structure. This means it has separate groups in all six states and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The Country Liberal Party (CLP) in the Northern Territory is linked to the Liberal Party. Also, the Liberal National Party (LNP) in Queensland was formed when the local Liberal and National parties joined together.

The party's main ideas are often called liberal and conservative. They usually support economic liberalism, which means they like free markets and less government control over businesses. They also tend to support social conservatism, which means they prefer traditional social values.

History of the Liberal Party

How the Party Started

The Liberal Party was formed after an older party, the United Australia Party (UAP), broke apart. The UAP had been created in 1931 and won several elections. However, after a big loss in the 1943 election, it fell apart.

In 1942, Robert Menzies started giving radio talks called "The Forgotten People." He talked about the middle class as the "backbone of Australia." He felt they were often overlooked by politicians.

Menzies then brought together different conservative groups. They met in Canberra in October 1944 and again in Albury in December 1944. Menzies wanted a new political movement. He said it should work for "social justice and security" and for the "full development of the individual citizen." He wanted to avoid socialism.

The new party was officially announced in Sydney on 31 August 1945. It was named Liberal to honor an older party called the Commonwealth Liberal Party. Many members of the old UAP joined the new Liberal Party. A strong women's group, the Australian Women's National League, also joined. By September 1945, the party had over 90,000 members. Many of them had never been part of a political party before.

The Menzies Era (1949–1966)

Sir Robert Menzies, founder of the Liberal Party and prime minister 1939–41 (UAP) and 1949–66

Sir Robert Menzies, Dame Enid Lyons (the first female member of an Australian Cabinet), Sir Eric Harrison, Harold Holt (Menzies' successor) and Tom White, in 1946.

After losing the 1946 election, Menzies led the Liberals to a big win in the 1949 election. The party stayed in power for a record 23 years. This is the longest time any party has continuously governed Australia at the national level.

During the Menzies government (1949–66), Australia saw strong economic growth. Menzies kept his promises from the 1949 election. He ended rationing of butter, tea, and petrol. He also gave a payment for first-born children.

Menzies was against the Labor Party's plan to take over the banking system. After winning in 1949, he called another election in 1951. This was because the Labor-controlled Senate rejected his banking laws. The Liberal-Country Coalition won and gained control of the Senate.

Menzies was strongly against communism. He sent Australian troops to the Korean War. He also tried to ban the Communist Party of Australia, but this failed in a referendum. In 1951, during the Cold War, Menzies helped create the ANZUS Treaty. This was a military alliance between Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. It said that an attack on one country would be seen as a threat to all. In 1954, his government also signed the SEATO treaty, a similar agreement for Southeast Asia.

Menzies also continued a large immigration program. He took steps to end the White Australia Policy, which had limited non-European immigration. In 1958, his government removed a difficult language test for immigrants. In 1962, the Commonwealth Electoral Act gave all Indigenous Australians the right to vote in federal elections. In 1949, the Liberals appointed Dame Enid Lyons as the first woman to serve in an Australian Cabinet.

Menzies retired in 1966. He had served as Prime Minister for 20 years in total, making him Australia's longest-serving Prime Minister.

The Holt Government (1966–1967)

Harold Holt, Prime Minister 1966–67

Prime Minister Harold Holt (second from left), with SEATO leaders in Manila, in 1966. The Liberal Party was in power through much of the early Post-War period in which Australia's allegiances, immigration and trade policies shifted away from reliance on the United Kingdom.

Harold Holt became Prime Minister after Menzies retired in 1966. The Holt government won a large victory in the 1966 election. Holt was Prime Minister until December 1967, when he disappeared while swimming and was presumed dead.

Holt increased Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War, which caused some public protest. His government changed Australia's money to decimal currency. Holt also worked to strengthen ties with Asian countries and the United States. He hosted the first visit to Australia by an American president, Lyndon B. Johnson.

Holt's government introduced the Migration Act 1966. This law effectively ended the White Australia Policy. It allowed more non-European immigrants, including refugees from the Vietnam War. Holt also called the 1967 Referendum. This vote removed a part of the Australian Constitution that stopped Aboriginal Australians from being counted in the census. Over 90% of Australians voted "Yes" in this referendum.

The Gorton Government (1968–1971)

John Gorton, Prime Minister 1968–71

John Gorton being sworn in as prime minister by Lord Casey on 10 January 1968. Gorton led Australia into the tumultuous decade of the 1970s. Gorton declared himself "Australian to the bootheels" and increased funding for Australian cinema and arts to project a newly assertive Australian nationalism.

The Liberals chose John Gorton to replace Holt. Gorton was a former pilot in World War II. He was known for saying he was "Australian to the bootheels."

The Gorton government increased money for the arts. They set up the Australian Council for the Arts and other groups to support Australian films and television. Gorton's government also passed laws for equal pay for men and women. They increased pensions, allowances, and education scholarships. They also provided free health care for 250,000 people who were poor.

Gorton's government kept Australia in the Vietnam War for a time. However, they stopped sending new troops at the end of 1970. Gorton worked to have good relationships with the United States and Britain. He also tried to build closer ties with Asia.

The Gorton government saw a drop in public support after the 1969 election. Some Liberal leaders felt his policies gave too much power to the national government. Others did not like his personal style. In 1971, Defence Minister Malcolm Fraser resigned. He said Gorton was "not fit to hold the great office of Prime Minister." The Liberal Party voted on his leadership, and the vote was split 50/50. Gorton decided this was not enough support and resigned.

The McMahon Government (1971–1972)

William McMahon, Prime Minister 1971–72

McMahon at a campaign rally in Springvale, Victoria during the 1972 federal election.

Foreign Affairs Minister William McMahon became Prime Minister after Gorton. The economy was starting to slow down. McMahon removed Australia's remaining combat troops from Vietnam.

During McMahon's time, Neville Bonner joined the Senate. He became the first Indigenous Australian in the Australian Parliament. Bonner was chosen by the Liberal Party in 1971 to fill a Senate spot. He was known for working on Indigenous and social welfare issues. He often voted independently in Parliament.

The McMahon government ended when Gough Whitlam led the Australian Labor Party to victory in the 1972 election. This ended the Liberal Party's 23-year period in government.

Opposition Years (1972–1975) and Billy Snedden

Billy Snedden, Opposition Leader 1972–75

Billy Snedden became the leader of the Liberal Party after McMahon. He led the party against Whitlam in the 1974 federal election. Labor won again.

Billy Snedden and Andrew Peacock on 12 October 1973. They were the first two Liberal leaders who never got to serve as Prime Minister.

When Malcolm Fraser won the Liberal Party leadership from Snedden in 1975, John Gorton left the party. He later spoke out against the dismissal of the Whitlam Government.

The Fraser Years (1975–1983)

Malcolm Fraser, Prime Minister 1975–83

Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser (second right) and Tamie Fraser (left) with US President Ronald Reagan and Nancy at the White House in 1982. Fraser came to power amidst the divisive 1975 Australian constitutional crisis, but went on to lead Australia into the 1980s.

In 1975, the Malcolm Fraser-led Liberal-Country Party Coalition argued that the Whitlam government was not managing the country well. They stopped the government's money bills in the Senate. This led to a big political crisis. The Whitlam government was controversially dismissed by the Governor-General, Sir John Kerr, on 11 November 1975. Fraser became caretaker prime minister.

Fraser won a huge victory in the 1975 election. His government kept some of the social changes from the Whitlam era. In 1976, Parliament passed the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1976. This law gave Aboriginal people legal ownership of some traditional lands in the Northern Territory. The Fraser government also started the multicultural broadcaster SBS. They welcomed Vietnamese refugees. They also opposed white minority rule in South Africa and Rhodesia.

The Liberals under Fraser won big majorities in the 1977 and 1980 elections. However, the Australian economy was struggling by 1983. The Liberal Party lost to the Bob Hawke-led Australian Labor Party in the 1983 election.

In Opposition (1983–1996)

Andrew Peacock, Opposition Leader 1983–85, 1989–90

John Hewson, Opposition Leader 1990–94

Alexander Downer, Opposition Leader 1994–95

After losing power, the Liberal Party went through a period of internal disagreements. The Australian economy faced a recession in the early 1990s. Unemployment was high.

Under Dr John Hewson, the opposition launched a big policy plan called Fightback! in 1991. This plan included a new goods and services Tax (GST). It also suggested changes to healthcare, unemployment benefits, and workplace laws. The plan aimed to cut taxes for middle and upper-income earners. It also proposed selling many government-owned businesses.

Labor Prime Minister Paul Keating strongly opposed the Fightback plan, especially the GST. He said it would hurt working-class people. Hewson found it hard to explain the details of the GST to the public. This was shown in a famous birthday cake interview. Keating won the 1993 election, giving Labor a record fifth term. Some of the ideas from Fightback were later put into law by Labor and later by the Liberal government led by John Howard.

The Howard Government (1996–2007)

John Howard, Prime Minister 1996–2007

Prime Minister John Howard with APEC leaders in Sydney in 2007. Howard supported the traditional icons of Australian identity and its international allegiances, but oversaw booming trade with Asia and increased non-European immigration.

Labor's Paul Keating lost the 1996 Election to the Liberals, led by John Howard. The Liberals had been in opposition for 13 years. John Howard became Prime Minister on 11 March 1996. With Howard as prime minister, Peter Costello as treasurer, and Alexander Downer as foreign minister, the Howard government stayed in power until 2007.

Howard's government was generally conservative on social issues. They focused on reducing government debt. They also supported traditional links with the Commonwealth and the American Alliance. However, his time as prime minister also saw strong trade with Asia and more non-European immigration. In 2004, his government signed a free trade agreement with the United States.

Howard supported traditional Australian symbols like the monarchy in Australia and ANZAC Day. He also introduced a broad-based consumption tax, the GST. After the September 11 attacks in the United States, the Howard government used the ANZUS treaty. They supported America's military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In the 2004 federal elections, the Liberal Party and its partners gained more seats. They became the first government in 20 years to control both houses of Parliament. This allowed them to pass laws more easily. One example was the WorkChoices industrial relations law.

The 2007 federal election saw the Howard government defeated by Kevin Rudd's Labor Party. After this, the Liberal Party was in opposition at both national and state levels across Australia.

In Opposition (2007–2013)

Brendan Nelson, Opposition Leader 2007–08

After the 2007 federal election, Dr Brendan Nelson was chosen as leader by the Liberal members of Parliament. In September 2008, Nelson lost the leadership to Malcolm Turnbull. In December 2009, Turnbull lost the leadership to Tony Abbott by just one vote.

Abbott led the party into the 2010 federal election. The Liberal Party's vote increased, and the election resulted in a hung parliament. This meant no major party won enough seats to form government on its own.

In March 2011, the Liberal-National Coalition in New South Wales, led by Barry O'Farrell, won a very large victory. In Queensland, the Liberal and National parties had merged in 2008 to form the Liberal National Party of Queensland. In March 2012, this new party won a historic landslide victory, led by Campbell Newman.

In March 2013, the Liberal-National government in Western Australia won re-election. Later that year, Tony Abbott led the party to victory in the 2013 Australian federal election. This was the most recent federal election where the Liberal Party and the Coalition saw an increase in their main vote.

Abbott, Turnbull, and Morrison Governments (2013–2022)

Tony Abbott, Prime Minister 2013–15

The Liberal Party won government in Tasmania in 2014. However, they lost the South Australian election for the fourth time in a row. The Victorian Liberal-National government, led by Denis Napthine, became the first one-term government in Victoria in 60 years. Also, the Liberal National government in Queensland was defeated just three years after its big win. However, the New South Wales Liberal-National Coalition won re-election in March 2015.

In 2016, the Federal Liberals narrowly won re-election in July 2016. But the Liberal-affiliated Country Liberals suffered a big defeat in the Northern Territory. The Canberra Liberals also lost their fifth election in a row. In 2017, the Liberal-National government in Western Australia, led by Barnett, also lost badly.

Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister 2015–18

During Turnbull's time as Prime Minister, there were disagreements between different groups within the Liberal Party. In August 2018, there was pressure on Turnbull's leadership. He called a vote on the party leadership. Turnbull won the vote against Peter Dutton. However, he called another vote later that week and chose not to stand. Scott Morrison was then chosen as leader of the Liberal Party.

Scott Morrison, Prime Minister 2018–2022

Morrison became Prime Minister. He then led the Coalition to an unexpected victory in the 2019 election.

The Morrison government was defeated in the 2022 election. After this, Peter Dutton was elected to replace Morrison as party leader.

In Opposition (2022–Present)

Peter Dutton, Opposition Leader 2022–2025

In 2023, the Liberal/National government in New South Wales, led by Premier Dominic Perrottet, was defeated by the Labor Party. This ended the longest Coalition government in New South Wales history.

In 2024, the party won government in Tasmania, Queensland, and the Northern Territory.

The Liberal Party lost the 2025 election. Peter Dutton also lost his seat in Brisbane. After this election, Dutton resigned as party leader. Sussan Ley then became the new leader. She is the first woman to lead the Liberal Party and be the Leader of the Opposition.

What the Liberal Party Believes In

From the very beginning, the Liberal Party has had many different ideas among its members. Its main goal has been to be an anti-Labor and anti-Socialist party. It strongly supports individual freedom and private businesses.

The party's founder, Robert Menzies, believed that Australia's middle class would be its main supporters.

In 1964, Menzies spoke about the "Liberal Creed." He said:

As the meaning of our name "Liberal" shows, we have stood for freedom... We chose the name 'Liberal' because we wanted to be a party that makes progress. We are willing to try new things, not just stick to old ways. We believe in the individual, their rights and their efforts. We do not believe in socialism. We understand that people are not just numbers. They are individual human beings whose well-being and growth must be the main focus of government... We have learned that the best way is to set individuals free. We aim for everyone to have equal chances. We protect individuals from unfair treatment. We want to create a society where rights and duties are understood and followed.

After becoming Prime Minister in 1996, John Howard spoke about his view of the "Liberal Tradition." He said:

Menzies knew it was important for Australian Liberalism to use ideas from both classical liberal and conservative political traditions. He believed in a liberal political tradition that included both Edmund Burke and John Stuart Mill—a tradition I have called the broad church of Australian Liberalism.

Historically, the Liberal Party was largely supported by the middle class. However, this has changed over time. After the 2022 election, the Liberal Party held more seats in poorer areas of Australia. In country areas, they often work with the National Party.

Menzies strongly supported the monarchy in Australia and links to the Commonwealth of Nations. Today, the party has different views on whether Australia should become a republic. Some members, like current leader Peter Dutton, support the monarchy. Others, like former leader Malcolm Turnbull, support Australia becoming a republic. The Menzies government also made Australia's alliance with the United States official in 1951. The party continues to strongly support this defense treaty.

In the past, Menzies' governments managed the economy quite closely. Many public services were owned by the government. Businesses were also highly regulated. However, from the late 1970s, the party started to be influenced by the "New Right." This group supported less government control over markets, selling public services, and cutting taxes.

The Liberal Party is a member of the International Democracy Union and the Asia Pacific Democrat Union.

Groups Within the Party (Factions)

The Liberal Party has different groups, or factions, within it. These groups have slightly different ideas. During the Morrison government, there were three main groups: the moderate wing, the centre-right wing, and the right wing.

After the 2022 Australian federal election, the makeup of these groups changed. The National Right became the largest group. The Centre-Right group became much smaller. A new Centrist group also appeared. In 2025, Sussan Ley, who is part of the moderate group, was elected leader of the party.

How the Party is Organised

The Liberal Party's structure is based on its six separate state groups. This shows the party's original belief in a federal system of government. Menzies purposely created a weak national party structure and strong state groups. The party's policies are mostly made by the members of Parliament, rather than by the party's national or state organisations. However, party members do have some say in policy.

The smallest group in the Liberal Party is the branch. This is made up of party members in a local area. For each voting area, there is a conference. This group helps with election campaigns and talks with the local member of Parliament.

All the branches in an Australian state form a Division. The main group for a Division is a State Council. There is also one Federal Council that represents the entire Liberal Party organisation in Australia.

Federal Parliamentary Leaders

State and Territory Divisions

Federal Presidents

Further information: List of Federal Presidents of the Liberal Party

R.G. Menzies House, the Liberal Party's national headquarters, in the Canberra suburb of Barton

Party Groups and Networks

The Liberal Party has several groups and networks. These include:

• The Australian Liberal Student's Federation (for students)
• The Federal Women's Committee (for women)
• The Young Liberals (for young people)

Other groups include Australian Liberals Abroad (for members living overseas) and a group for Norfolk Island.

Election Results in the House of Representatives

Election	Leader	Votes	%	Seats	+/–	Position	Status
1946	Robert Menzies	1,241,650	28.58	15 / 74	15	2nd	Opposition
1949		1,813,794	39.39	55 / 121	40	1st	Coalition
1951		1,854,799	40.62	52 / 121	3	2nd	Coalition
1954		1,745,808	38.31	47 / 121	5	2nd	Coalition
1955		1,746,485	39.73	57 / 122	10	1st	Coalition
1958		1,859,180	37.23	58 / 122	1	1st	Coalition
1961		1,761,738	33.58	45 / 122	13	2nd	Coalition
1963		2,030,823	37.09	52 / 122	7	2nd	Coalition
1966	Harold Holt	2,291,964	40.14	61 / 124	9	1st	Coalition
1969	John Gorton	2,125,987	34.77	46 / 125	15	2nd	Coalition
1972	William McMahon	2,115,085	32.04	38 / 125	8	2nd	Opposition
1974	Billy Snedden	2,582,968	34.95	40 / 127	2	2nd	Opposition
1975	Malcolm Fraser	3,232,159	41.80	68 / 127	28	1st	Coalition
1977		3,017,896	38.09	67 / 124	1	1st	Coalition
1980		3,108,512	37.43	54 / 125	13	1st	Coalition
1983		2,983,986	34.36	33 / 125	21	2nd	Opposition
1984	Andrew Peacock	2,951,556	34.06	45 / 148	12	2nd	Opposition
1987	John Howard	3,175,262	34.41	43 / 148	2	2nd	Opposition
1990	Andrew Peacock	3,468,570	35.04	55 / 148	12	2nd	Opposition
1993	John Hewson	3,923,786	37.10	49 / 147	6	2nd	Opposition
1996	John Howard	4,210,689	38.69	75 / 148	26	1st	Coalition
1998		3,764,707	33.89	64 / 148	11	2nd	Coalition
2001		4,244,072	37.40	68 / 150	4	1st	Coalition
2004		4,741,458	40.47	74 / 150	5	1st	Coalition
2007		4,546,600	36.60	55 / 150	20	2nd	Opposition
2010	Tony Abbott	3,777,383	30.46	60 / 150	5	2nd	Opposition
2013		4,134,865	32.02	74 / 150	14	1st	Coalition
2016	Malcolm Turnbull	3,882,905	28.67	60 / 150	14	2nd	Coalition
2019	Scott Morrison	3,989,435	27.97	61 / 151	1	2nd	Coalition
2022		3,502,713	23.89	42 / 151	19	2nd	Opposition
2025	Peter Dutton	2,525,047	20.8	23 / 151	19	2nd	Opposition

Images for kids

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  Sir Robert Menzies, founder of the Liberal Party and prime minister 1939–41 (UAP) and 1949–66

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  Sir Robert Menzies, Dame Enid Lyons (the first female member of an Australian Cabinet), Sir Eric Harrison, Harold Holt (Menzies' successor) and Tom White, in 1946.

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  Harold Holt, Prime Minister 1966–67

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  Prime Minister Harold Holt (second from left), with SEATO leaders in Manila, in 1966. The Liberal Party was in power through much of the early Post-War period in which Australia's allegiances, immigration and trade policies shifted away from reliance on the United Kingdom.

• 

  John Gorton, Prime Minister 1968–71

• 

  John Gorton being sworn in as prime minister by Lord Casey on 10 January 1968. Gorton led Australia into the tumultuous decade of the 1970s. Gorton declared himself "Australian to the bootheels" and increased funding for Australian cinema and arts to project a newly assertive Australian nationalism.

• 

  William McMahon, Prime Minister 1971–72

• 

  McMahon at a campaign rally in Springvale, Victoria during the 1972 federal election.

• 

  Billy Snedden, Opposition Leader 1972–75

• 

  Billy Snedden and Andrew Peacock on 12 October 1973. They were the first two Liberal leaders who never got to serve as Prime Minister.

• 

  Malcolm Fraser, Prime Minister 1975–83

• 

  Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser (second right) and Tamie Fraser (left) with US President Ronald Reagan and Nancy at the White House in 1982. Fraser came to power amidst the divisive 1975 Australian constitutional crisis, but went on to lead Australia into the 1980s.

• 

  Andrew Peacock, Opposition Leader 1983–85, 1989–90

• 

  John Hewson, Opposition Leader 1990–94

• 

  Alexander Downer, Opposition Leader 1994–95

• 

  John Howard, Prime Minister 1996–2007

• 

  Prime Minister John Howard with APEC leaders in Sydney in 2007. Howard supported the traditional icons of Australian identity and its international allegiances, but oversaw booming trade with Asia and increased non-European immigration.

• 

  Brendan Nelson, Opposition Leader 2007–08

• 

  Tony Abbott, Prime Minister 2013–15

• 

  Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister 2015–18

• 

  Scott Morrison, Prime Minister 2018–2022

• 

  Peter Dutton, Opposition Leader 2022–2025

• 

  R.G. Menzies House, the Liberal Party's national headquarters, in the Canberra suburb of Barton

See also

In Spanish: Partido Liberal de Australia para niños

• Country Liberal Party (Northern Territory)
• Liberal National Party (Queensland)
• Liberal Party of Australia (New South Wales Division)
• Liberal Party of Australia (South Australian Division)
• Liberal Party of Australia (Tasmanian Division)
• Liberal Party of Australia (Victorian Division)
• List of political parties in Australia
• Turnbull Government
• Abbott Government
• Liberalism in Australia
• Moderates
• Young Liberal Movement of Australia