NSW Election 2023: Generational war threatens to flare up within Liberal Party

Not much to cheer about … a young NSW Liberal supporter drinks a beer at the party’s election night function at the Hilton Hotel, Sydney CBD. Picture: Damian Shaw

If it were a funeral, it was only for the veterans of the Liberal Party.

Even though the rising tide toward Labor swelled early, young supporters at the event inside a sprawling, yet sparsely populated, ballroom at the Hilton Hotel replayed the greatest hits on their phones.

A slogan from the unsuccessful 2022 federal campaign.

“There’s a hole in your budget, dear Labor,” was heard around the room as the kids – some still in their Liberal blue T-shirts emblazoned with the likes of “Kellie Sloane for Vaucluse’’, others clad in pink cable knit Ralph Lauren jumpers and boat shoes – filmed upbeat TikToks. While the rest of the Liberal Party faithful, volunteers and hangers on quaffed perfectly chilled Chain of Fire $12.99 sauvignon blanc and James Boags beers.

Despite a looming loss, the luminaries of the Liberal Party turned out to rock star receptions, adding weight to the criticism the conservatives have forgotten about Millennials and Gen X members and potential voters.

Young Liberal supporters paint a glum picture as they watch NSW election results roll in last night. Picture: Damian Shaw

Philip Ruddock – former attorney-general of the Howard era – was swarmed for selfies from the 20-somethings.

Former speaker Bronwyn Bishop had quorums of young women enamoured all night.

But it was John Winston Howard who they went full Beatles in 1964 for.

Mr Howard, accompanied by wife Jeanette, almost needed more security than Harry Styles in 2023.

Stepping into the room to the song, Steal My Sunshine – a Millennial anthem – and a mash up of AC/DC’s TNT and Thunderstruck, the former prime minister was overwhelmed with the screams, shrieks and declarations of love (“Stick your hand out, he’s right there Chelsea!”) and selfies tagged with comments like “Me and my boyfriend” popped up on phones illuminating the life member’s amused face.

The kids and the Boomers are OK. The Liberals have the blue rinse set sewn up – those who need it and those who see it as an emerging beauty trend on Instagram.

But the elephant in the room is now that middle ground.

Those stuck somewhere in the between being old enough to remember when the Boomers installed Howard who slugged young and single people with higher taxes and shocked them with hardcore immigration policy. But are wise enough to see the uprising of progressive left leaders around the country who appear more comfortable dabbling in identity politics than cracking on with economic management.

Former PM John Howard arrives at the NSW Liberals’ election party at the Hilton Hotel, Sydney CBD. Picture: Damian Shaw

It was all over the screens. And their faces. Seats fell and the realisation the coalition government which had made NSW “strong, free and fair” for more than a decade is heading into the political purgatory of opposition.

The irony wasn’t lost on the young at heart Liberals in the room – Dominic Perrottet is the party’s Millennial leader and he’s just quit his post. Where to from here?

A former NSW Liberal leader who knows a thing or two about opposition and gentrification is Kerry Chikarovski.

The first woman to hold the office of opposition leader for the Libs spent the day manning booths then mingled all evening thanking large groups of young supporters for their efforts and assistance on the “small target campaign”.

“I was genuinely shocked when young people approached me for how to vote cards out there and I look around here and see all these younger, enthusiastic people who come out, they turn up and believe in the party, we need to focus on them more,” Ms Chikarovski told The Australian.

Mr Ruddock and Ms Chikarovski both agree a review of party processes is required, including preselecting candidates earlier to give them more runway to launch successful campaigns.

“Factions are the disease of Labor we need to eradicate from our party also,” Mr Ruddock told The Australian.

But it’s a generational war that may flare up.

“We’re out there volunteering, doing all this work to help get MPs re-elected and new people in as we believe in the party, but then they then get surprised to see us turn out to branch meetings and stuff and say ‘Oh thank you for your help’ when it’s them who rest on their laurels and expect it all to happen around them. We’re ready to work, move on if you’re not,” one male Young Liberal said.

Huge day from all the @nswyoungliberals volunteers right across NSW for pre-poll.

7 days to go until we re-elect @Dom_Perrottet and the @LiberalNSW@NSWNationals Government and keep NSW moving forward! #nswpolpic.twitter.com/sOAWCu64DF

— NSW Young Liberals (@nswyounglibs) March 18, 2023

“We have all these great messages – some centrist, moderate ideas – that are still core to Liberal Party values, just with a younger lens on them. I’d love to get them out but I don’t have time to do more work for free when it comes to doing social media for the party right now. I’m finishing a law degree but can’t wait to try for preselection. There’s a lot of love for the Libs amongst my friends, but it’s waning. Where’s the incentive to be aspirational? My brother has been working since he was 16 and owns two houses now, but it’s hard out there and times are changing. We have to refresh just like Dom said,” another female volunteer said.

After disastrous state elections in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and federally, now this result – which ends 12 years of conservative rule – will Saturday’s poll wake the Liberal party at large up?

The alarm of who are you, what do you represent – but most importantly – who do you represent? Is now too loud to ignore – surely.

Waving goodbye … outgoing NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet. Picture: Damian Shaw