Liberal frontbencher Melissa McIntosh has called for a party 'rebrand' to reverse declining voter support, as the Coalition recorded a historic low primary vote of 17% in Monday's Newspoll, well behind Labor (33%) and One Nation (29%), and barely ahead of the Greens (13%).
McIntosh's Call for Change
Speaking on Sky News, McIntosh, the shadow minister for the NDIS, said: 'I think it's time for the Liberal party to rebrand itself. Some people think that we're stuck in the past and our policies need to resonate with the Australia of today and the future.' She suggested revisiting the party's values and did not rule out changing the party name, noting that Sky News itself is rebranding to News24.
Angus Taylor's Leadership Under Scrutiny
The comments follow opposition leader Angus Taylor's admission that the Morrison government, in which he served as a senior minister, 'breached trust' by supporting 'big government' during the pandemic. Taylor defended his leadership on 2GB radio, saying: 'You can't turn around a tanker in a few months.' However, the Coalition's poll numbers have continued to slide since he replaced Sussan Ley four months ago.
Labor Ridicules the Rebrand Idea
Labor leader Anthony Albanese mocked McIntosh's remarks in question time, saying: 'No wonder they're struggling over there. We had a shadow minister earlier today speak about abandoning the Liberal party name.' Housing minister Clare O'Neil added: 'We've got frontbenchers openly saying they need to rethink the existence of their political party. On this side, we don't need experts to tell us what Labor stands for.'
Internal Party Reactions
Liberal MP Andrew Hastie, seen as a future leader, praised Taylor's leadership and policy development process, stating: 'It's going to take time to sell those policies, but we're in winter. We have time and we've just got to not get rattled.' Senator Jonno Duniam, who is retiring, said the party had been 'lost in the wash' amid a 'crowded marketplace'.
Taylor's Defense and Polling Data
Taylor attempted to put a positive spin on the situation, telling 2GB: 'We were in freefall during Ley's leadership. Now, the Coalition is solid as a rock.' He conceded: 'It's going to take time because people need to rebuild trust in a Coalition, in a Liberal party, in a National party that has breached trust.' A separate Redbridge poll also showed rising support for Labor and a dip for One Nation and the Coalition.
