Bloodletting and soul searching post-election for major parties

As bloodletting begins in the Coalition, Labor also faces tough questions despite being able to form government, writes Matthew Killoran.

Bloodletting has already begin within the Liberal Party ranks, but serious questions are also being asked in Queensland Labor where the party still holds no seats north of Esk.

While it’s obvious to say the Coalition will have to do some soul-searching to redefine itself in the wake of a crushing loss, there are those in Labor who realise that despite its victory the result was not a ringing endorsement.

The Coalition is picking up the pieces after a crushing defeat saw it lose blue-ribbon seats, while the safe LNP seat of Ryan was at risk of falling to the Greens.

LNP Member for Brisbane Trevor Evans was one of two Coalition MPs in Queensland to lose their seat. Picture: Josh Woning

It was an unthinkable result at the start of the campaign. Already there are vastly different opinions within the Liberal ranks as to what lessons to learn from the results.

Finance Minister Simon Birmingham made it clear the party needed to consider tougher 2030 emissions reduction targets, after it lost inner-city seats and moderate MPs to teal Independents and the Greens.

But many conservatives are arguing the party needs to move further to the Right, focusing on the outer suburbs, all but leaving behind its wealthier inner-city base.

There is also a lot of anger being directed at Scott Morrison from across the factions.

It is setting up an ugly start to its first stint in opposition for almost a decade and will create a challenge for the Liberals’ next leader.

But despite winning nationally, Labor made no net gains in Queensland. It has lost Griffith, held by frontbencher Terri Butler, and will only balance this out if it can edge ahead of the Greens in Brisbane as it is now likely to do.

After being reduced to just six seats in the 2019 election, it was considered a crushing defeat, yet it moved no further forward three years later despite spending significant time attempting to reconnect with the regions.

Labor MP Terri Butler is set to lose her seat of Griffith to the Greens. Picture: Richard Walker

It still holds no regional seats other than the Ipswich-based electorate of Blair. If Labor manages to win Brisbane, there are still likely to be three-cornered contests in Brisbane, Ryan and Griffith going forward.

There is already anger within the Labor Party.

How the major parties deal with their soul-searching could determine whether the shift to independents and minor parties is temporary or here to stay.

Originally published as Bloodletting and soul searching post-election for major parties