Jacinta Nampijinpa Price

Grattan on Friday: Morrison’s departure will help Liberals ‘move on’ but Nationals can’t ‘move on’ until Barnaby does

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 15, 2024
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For the Liberals, Morrison’s departure is a significant symbolic “moving on” moment.

Key Points: 
  • For the Liberals, Morrison’s departure is a significant symbolic “moving on” moment.
  • The Coalition Morrison is exiting is a mixed bunch, in terms of performance, illustrated by the first weeks of this year.
  • The opposition could not have avoided being outfoxed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s bold reworking of the tax cuts.
  • The Liberals used material from this week’s Senate estimates hearing to pound Immigration Minister Andrew Giles in the House of Representatives.
  • Among the Nationals, their Senate leader, Bridget McKenzie, has proved very effective this term, notably on Qantas and Qatar Airways.
  • Once hailed as a great “retail” politician, Joyce at the 2022 election was considered a retail negative in many Liberal seats.
  • While he is in parliament, the Nationals will remain a tinderbox (even though they manage to hold their seats).


Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.