Mr Husic was damning in his criticism of deputy prime minister Richard Marles, who played a key role in the factional changes – an aspect of the Labor party that never seems to change.
Closer to home, while Labor ended up winning the seat of Bendigo after a close count with the Nationals candidate – the margin significantly reduced to abolish its once safe status.
For the Liberals, a change in leadership was inevitable – one because Peter Dutton didn’t retain his seat, but two because its resounding election defeat required a comprehensive overhaul of the party.
Last week, Member for Wannon Dan Tehan was touted as being in the mix for a leadership position but declared on Friday he would not be putting up his hand up for the top job.
Mr Tehan said the Liberal party must take ‘an honest look at the 2025 election, our history and the future’, and he would ‘work hard and serve in whatever capacity I am asked to rebuild our party’.
But ultimately the leadership came down to two contenders – deputy leader and Member for Farrer Sussan Ley, and shadow treasurer and Member for Hume Angus Taylor. Mr Taylor went in with newly-joined Liberal Jacinta Nampijinpa-Price listed as his deputy – a move that could be seen as divisive with the polarising Senator recently crossing over from the Nationals in what many experts put down to ‘personal ambition’.
Yesterday, the Liberals announced Ms Ley as the first ever leader of the Liberal Party – she won the leadership 29-25 votes.
Meanwhile the Nationals have re-elected David Littleproud as leader.
Matt Canavan made a challenge for the top Nationals job, but was defeated in a private vote in Canberra on Monday.
Kevin Hogan has been elected as deputy leader and Bridget McKenzie has been elected as leader of the Nationals in the Senate.
It’s a fascinating watch to see it all play out and get a glimpse of the inner workings of the parties – there is little wonder it is often the premise for many television series.
But ultimately for the sake of Australia and its people, we need the dust to settle quickly and for politicians to do their jobs – serve their electorates and constituents, and as ministers, lead their respective portfolios for the good of the nation.
It’s going to be a difficult three years for the Coalition as it not only battles to regroup and refocus, but it will have very little political pull with just 42 seats in the Parliament.
It has a lot of ground to make up after this year’s disastrous election results – and my tip is by the time the next election rolls around, it will have a different-looking leadership again.
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