Outspoken MP Russell Broadbent quits Liberal Party after preselection loss
Russell Broadbent has quit the Liberal Party and will move to the crossbench. (ABC News: Nick Haggarty)
Outspoken federal MP Russell Broadbent has resigned from the Liberal Party and will move to the crossbench.
Key points:
- Russell Broadbent says the preselection loss "revokes" his licence to represent the party in Monash
- In a statement, he said he told his colleagues tough times were ahead and urged them to stand behind their leader
- The Victorian Liberal Party has wished Mr Broadbent all the best and thanked him for his decades of service
On Sunday the veteran backbencher lost preselection for his regional Victorian seat of Monash to Fujitsu government relations executive Mary Aldred.
In a statement, Mr Broadbent said he would move to the crossbench and continue to represent the people of Monash until the next election.
"I am a Liberal at heart and my values have not changed," he said.
"It has been an honour to stand in the parliament as the Liberal member for Monash for the past 25 years, and I wish the Liberal Party all the best."
Preselection prompts resignation
Mr Broadbent cited the preselection result as the reason for his resignation.
"On Sunday, there was a preselection where I received less than 10 per cent of the vote," he said.
"This was a clear signal from members and one which I believe revokes my licence to represent the Liberal Party in the electorate of Monash.
"As I said in the party room this morning, I believe there are storm clouds ahead for this nation and I strongly encouraged the party to support the leader."
Mr Broadbent received 16 out of 193 votes during the preselection.
Ms Aldred received 161 votes and South Gippsland Shire Mayor Nathan Hersey received 16.
Mr Broadbent, 72, has held the seat, formerly known as McMillan, since 2004.
He previously held the seat from 1996 to 1998 and won the now-abolished seat of Corinella at the 1990 election.
His departure leaves the Coalition with 55 seats in the House of Representatives.
Opposition leader 'disappointed'
Victorian Opposition leader John Pesutto landed his first political job with Mr Broadbent following the 1996 election.
Mr Pesutto said he was disappointed his former boss was leaving the party.
"He has been a long-term Liberal Party member and I am sad to see anybody leave the party," he said.
"I wish him well but I am disappointed he has left the Liberal Party."
Mr Pesutto said he was happy with Sunday's preselection result.
"[Mary's] going to be a star," he said.
"I've known her for many years and she is going to be absolutely terrific.
"I'm thrilled for her and thrilled for the party."
Mary Aldred was a resounding winner of the preselection contest. (ABC Gippsland: Millicent Spencer)
National Party state director Matthew Harris confirmed the party's intention to contest the seat of Monash at the next election, which must be called before September 27, 2025.
"The Nationals are the only party who always have the best interests of regional Australia at the heart of everything we do," Mr Harris said.
"The Nationals look forward to running a local champion who will [form] part of a strong team standing up for regional Australia in Canberra."
A maverick in the party room
Mr Broadbent has long been an outspoken voice in the Coalition partyroom and was one of a handful of MPs who opposed its policy of offshore processing for refugees in 2006.
In 2017, he was one of four MPs who voted against same-sex marriage legislation.
More recently he opposed mandatory vaccination during the pandemic and promoted the use of the antiparasitic drug ivermectin.
Victorian Liberal Party president Phil Davis thanked Mr Broadbent for his service.
"The Victorian Liberal Party would like to thank Russell Broadbent for his 25 years of service as a Liberal Member in the federal parliament," he said.
"We wish him well for the future."