SA’s most senior Liberal politician Christopher Pyne on women, defection and federal election

SA’s most senior Liberal Christopher Pyne admits the party doesn’t have enough women – but he still has an attack plan he hopes will bring the government back from the brink of electoral doom.

“I anticipate that we will probably lose votes here and there, will it be the end of the government? No,” Christopher Pyne said. Picture: Gary Ramage

• Earlier this week: Julia Banks quits party, leaving it a minority

Christopher Pyne says there is a plan to attack Labor on its $200 billion of planned taxes, as the embattled government tries desperately to haul itself from the brink of electoral doom.

SA’s most senior Liberal and the government’s chief parliamentary tactician also says the party needs to get more women into its federal ranks, arguing it is making a big effort to do so. In an interview with The Advertiser, Mr Pyne said the Liberals would emphasise the hit Labor’s proposed taxes would have on retirees and house prices.

As state Liberals crossed the floor this week to delay a vote on mining reforms, the federal Defence Minister dubbed the revolt a “storm in a tea cup” and denied that the disunity that cost the SA Liberals government for a long time had taken hold in the capital.

 

CANBERRA

The events that played out during the August leadership coup weighed heavily on Victorian MP Julia Banks and led to her resignation from the Liberals, to sit as an independent on the crossbench.

As Leader of the House, this also forces Mr Pyne to find two crossbenchers to support the government at every vote because it now holds 74 votes, including the speaker.

“I anticipate that we will probably lose votes here and there, will it be the end of the government? No,” he said.

Support was tested in the House during Question Time yesterday. But Opposition Leader Bill Shorten’s attempt to suspend standing orders failed 66-68 with four crossbenchers abstaining.

WOMEN

“There aren’t enough women in the parliamentary party and that is something that needs to be addressed,” Mr Pyne said. “Is that a major vote mover? Is it as important as the economy, people’s house prices, and their ability to pay their electricity bills? Probably not.

“Do people look at that and think the Liberal Party need more women, yes. Therefore we should do something about it. We should do something about it because it is the right thing to do anyway, and we are.” Mr Pyne said candidates should be selected on merit, “unless you get to the point where we are at now”.

The party has women heading Senate tickets across the country, including in SA with Senator Anne Ruston.

“We are putting a very big effort in to preselecting more women for winnable seats and so we should,” he said.

“We haven’t done too badly in SA from the point of view we have Lucy Gichuhi, Anne Ruston, Nicolle Flint and Georgina Downer.”

SHORTEN ATTACK Opposition Leader Bill Shorten is facing a fierce attack from the Liberals who claim their policies will result in $200 billion of taxes that will hit retirees, and slash house prices.

“They have painted a big target on their backs in terms of tax and its effect on the economy,” Mr Pyne said.

From removing the cash-refund on dividends, to restricting negative gearing which the Liberals say will slash property prices, to families, small businesses, and concerns about income tax increases – the Liberals believe they have a real chance at “paring the polls back”.

 

Christopher Pyne expects a fight in his own electorate of Sturt, in Adelaide’s east. Picture: AAP / Sam Wundke

SEATS UNDER THREAT

Every election is a fight, according to Mr Pyne, who represents the seat of Sturt in Adelaide’s eastern suburbs.

The state’s most marginal seat, Boothby, held by Liberal Nicolle Flint, is also under threat and Mr Pyne said the party will definitely need to put more resources into the electorate to help her stay ahead of Labor.

But sandbagging will also take place in Mr Pyne’s own electorate. “We will be focusing on hanging on to Boothby and Sturt,” Mr Pyne said. “I will face a fight.”

ELECTION

When asked if the leadership coup would have an impact on the decision of SA voters when the nation goes to the polls in “May or June”, Mr Pyne said “I think the SA voters have moved on, or in the process of moving on”.

He is confident that if the government can get “some clean air” between now and the election, and enough time to explain, talk about its achievements and what it plans to do, then the next election will be “very competitive”.

“We are a safe pair of hands to manage the economy, to create jobs, to deliver the national security that we all in Australia regard as our No.1 priority,” Mr Pyne said.

Originally published as SA’s most senior Liberal politician Christopher Pyne on women, defection and federal election