The Liberal Party is looking to appeal to immigrant women and younger Australians and considering cheaper membership options, according to an internal discussion paper.
The 32-page paper, circulated within the party over the weekend, describes the average Australian the party needs to reach as a 38-year-old woman who was either born overseas or has at least one parent who was.
“She’s not particularly engaged in politics. But she’s concerned the Liberals don’t look like her or speak to her aspirations,” the document states.
It warns that without urgent renewal, the Liberals are operating like a leaky bucket, with effort poured into recruitment while members drain away faster than they can be replenished, ABC News reported.
The document also compares the Liberal Party to Labor, noting that women only account for 33% of the Liberals’ party room, compared to Labor’s 50% female caucus.
The document states: “It is increasingly clear that if serious progress is to be made in delivering greater gender balance in our parliamentary team, additional measures will be required. None of them would be easy or without complication or resistance from some. However, if we want a different outcome, we need to be prepared to do things differently.”
The paper suggests tiered memberships, including a $10 digital option aimed at attracting youth and time-poor professionals, plus $40–$60 community tiers “to target people seeking identity, discussion and social connection rather than heavy activism”.
Andrew Hirst, who is stepping down from his role as Liberal Party director in June, warned in his final speech at a Liberal conference over the weekend that the party faces a demographic crisis, noting that “more than 55% of Liberal Party members are aged over 60.”
Mr Hirst went on to reveal that less than 10% of the party’s membership was aged between 16 and 30.
The document arrives amid a dire polling backdrop, with the latest Redbridge poll showing One Nation surging to 31%, ahead of Labor on 28% and the Liberal-National Coalition on just 20% of the primary vote.
The report also comes as former prime minister Tony Abbott was elected last Friday as Federal President of the party.
Mr Abbott vowed “first and foremost” to increase party membership, and said the party only had 50,000 members, the same as 30 or 40 years ago when the population was scarcely half its present number.
Header image: Deputy leader Jane Hume (right) visiting a Hindu temple (Facebook).
