Perception of disunity ‘killing’ Liberal Party, former tourism minister Richard Colbeck says

A PERCEPTION of disunity is “killing” the Liberal Party both nationally and within Tasmania, former tourism minister Richard Colbeck has told the party’s state council.

A PERCEPTION of disunity is “killing” the Liberal Party both nationally and within Tasmania, former tourism minister Richard Colbeck has told the party’s state council in Launceston.

Mr Colbeck’s extraordinary speech was one of his first public statements since he was dumped to fifth place on the Liberal Senate ticket for the July 2 election despite being the state’s only Federal minister.

Former tourism minister Richard Colbeck has called on the Liberal Party to show unity.

Although he polled 13,000 below the line votes he lost his seat after 16 years as a senator.

Mr Colbeck said his demotion distracted from the Liberal election campaign and contributed to the loss by the so-called “three amigos” Andrew Nikolic, Eric Hutchinson and Brett Whiteley in Bass, Lyons and Braddon respectively.

Mr Colbeck made the comments on Sunday in withdrawing his nomination as the state’s Rural and Regional delegate in favour of fellow senate candidate John Tucker.

His speech upset some Liberal delegates who said it had distracted from a rallying speech by Premier Will Hodgman.

Mr Colbeck said that he was trying to set an example of unity for the Federal Party which has been divided since Malcolm Turnbull ousted Tony Abbott in September last year.

Currently the perception of disunity that persists in the broader community is absolutely killing us.

He is believed to have been the only Tasmanian Liberal to support Mr Turnbull in the leadership ballot while in the lead-up Mr Nikolic and Senator Eric Abetz spoke passionately in support of Mr Abbott.

“Someone has to start the process of delivering to us the unity that gives us the confidence to go ahead to the next state election and the next federal election,” Mr Colbeck said.

“Currently the perception of disunity that persists in the broader community is absolutely killing us. It really is doing us some harm.

“Who is going to start turning that around, who is going to provide that incentive, that is the thing I am looking for.

“So often when you say something about someone doing something there is no one there to put their hand up.

“This morning what I am going to do is lead by example.”

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Liberal powerbroker Eric Abetz said:” There was a great sense of unity and purpose noting all positions were filled unopposed which highlights the consensus and focus on assisting the State Liberal team be re-elected.

“Unity is never achieved by talking about disunity.”

Senator Jonathon Duniam also denied the party was divided.

“I’m not going to comment on why someone may say certain things, but the state and federal Liberal teams are united in their approach to make Tasmania a better place,” he said.

Mr Colbeck revealed later that he would like to get back into politics.

For full Liberal Party conference coverage and analysis see Monday’s Mercury.

Originally published as Perception of disunity ‘killing’ Liberal Party, former tourism minister Richard Colbeck says