Andrew Hirst warns Sussan Ley of “death by disunity” after defections
The leader of the federal Liberals has warned senior MPs that Opposition Leader Sussan Ley’s party is being persecuted by continued instability and division following a series of defections.
Party director Andrew Hirst presented his first poll briefing of the term at a long shadow cabinet meeting on Monday afternoon, on a day dominated by Barnaby Joyce’s mixed messages about his move to One Nation.
Andrew Hirst following Sussan Ley’s speech to the National Press Club in June.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
“Separation is death – that was actually the message,” one MP said of Hirst’s briefing, which was confirmed by four MPs not being allowed to speak publicly.
Hirst, who has run the coalition’s last three election campaigns, told shadow ministers that global turmoil – such as war in Europe and the Middle East, the rise of China and turbulence in the US – was marginalizing opposition parties and benefiting incumbents.
According to Hirst, this was because Australians still had relatively high standards of living compared to countries such as the US, where inflation had hit even harder, and voters blamed international events for domestic consequences rather than bad government policy.
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In addition, incumbent governments have gained political benefit from projecting stability and strength in the face of global uncertainty, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attempted to do when faced with tariff threats from US President Donald Trump during the election campaign.
Hirst encouraged MPs to take part in a wider range of media, including podcasts, radio and other platforms outside their comfort zone. Last term, Albanese and his ministers began to spend more time on social and independent media.
Hirst has been contacted for comment.
