Merge Right

The new leaders of the Qld National and Liberal parties, Lawrence Springborg and Mark McArdle, have reached an in principle agreement to merge the two conservative parties in an attempt to co-ordinate their efforts to unseat Anna Bligh and the Labor state government. What can we expect to see?

First, that the Coalition will fall even further into disarray as they scramble to put a new party together with an election due within the next 16 or so months. Expect a lot of public outbursts from anti-merger elements within both parties. Urban Liberals (of which some may actually be progressive Liberals) won’t like the idea of a leader who stands for pork barrelling to keep marginal National seats in the hands of the Coalition rather than having them lost to independents and One Nation. Likewise, many rural conservatives may not understand why one has to fuss about with issues dealing with city life in a state with such a decentralised population; isn’t it the role of city councils to deal with city issues?

Second, it may be possible that disenchanted Liberal rank and file would leave a ruralised Liberal Party in favour of the Democrats, Family First and Liberty and Democracy parties. This could be good news for the Democrats, reeling from the loss of their remaining Senate seats last year; the extra members would be able to create a sort of renewal from outside the party. The Democrats are contesting a handful of BCC seats this election and may be able to concentrate their efforts at the next state election in a handful of inner city seats such as South Brisbane, Brisbane Central, Clayfield and Moggill where they may be able to pick up 4% of the vote and the associated funding.

Third, there may be a push for reform of the electoral system to allow the parties to contest elections on a more equal footing. With the government having many more staff and resources at their disposal, they will always have a benefit of some sort over the opposition. The unfair advantage comes with being able to call the election. Springborg is calling for fixed four year terms similar to Queensland’s local government elections. Fixed terms would allow all parties a reasonable amount of time to prepare for the election, rather than having a three week campaign sprung on them six months early (such as September 2006’s snap election).

Whether the rank and file members of both parties are happy to merge is still an issue that needs to be sorted out. It’s all well and good for the organisational executive and parliamentary leadership to come out in support of the plan, but the decision ultimately rests with the rank and file members through State Council.

The Courier-Mail – Nats, Libs agree to form one party
Larvatus Prodeo – The Borg returns, and the Libs confront assimilation