Federally the fortunes of the Australian Liberal Party have rarely been higher, yet times remain uncertain for the party, and questions about its future remain: How much more division about its economic and social direction can it sustain? What changes has it made to stop the Democrats and One Nation stealing its voters? How can a party associated with the 'big end' of town hope to keep the trust of the 'battlers'? How is the old dogma of the party coping with the new challenges of globalisation and terrorism? Why are the Liberals so obsessed with Paul Keating? Greg Barns is a former Liberal, and the only member apart from Pauline Hanson to be disendorsed by the party before an election. Drawing upon his insider's knowledge and his outsider's freedom to consider the issues objectively, Greg Barns exposes the major challenges facing the party today.
Author Biography
Greg Barns was disendorsed by the Liberal Party in February 2002 over his criticism of the Howard government's policy towards asylum-seekers. He was chair of the Australian Republican Movement and chief of staff to federal finance minister John Fahey. He is a columnist for the Hobart Mercury, and a regular contributor to the Age, the Australian and the Sydney Morning Herald. He is now a member of the Australian Democrats.
