The remarkable rise of teal independents will increase the balance of power of Coalition social conservatives and the prospect of Peter Dutton becoming Liberal leader.
As Labor steadies itself for the hard task of government, Liberals are floating adrift and rudderless to cope with the massive loss of female ballast in their vote.
The result is an electoral version of political climate change, with the sudden flood of female teal independents breaching Liberal sandbagging of what used to be their safest seats.
Loading...
Jennifer Hewett is the national affairs columnist. She writes a daily column on politics, business and the economy. Connect with Jennifer on Twitter. Email Jennifer at jennifer.hewett@afr.com
