Politics Now The review Liberals tried to bury
Mar 4, 2026
A leaked 64-page review of the Liberal Party’s election performance and efforts to suppress it are unpacked. Internal campaign mistakes, leadership appraisals and structural problems get sharp attention. The conversation also covers economic messaging, inflation risks from Middle East tensions, and Mark Carney’s push for middle-power cooperation.
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Formal Review Adds Gravitas To Known Mistakes
- The Minchin–Goward review gives formal weight to problems already reported, like opposing tax cuts and the work-from-home policy flop.
- David Speers argued formal, methodical reviews carry more gravitas than media commentary and involved extensive interviews.
Structural Review Targets Party Survival
- A separate structural review by James McGrath will examine party federation, declining membership and candidate selection for long-term survival.
- Patricia Karvelas says McGrath's report, due later this year, could be more substantive for fixing membership demographics and preselection of women.
Lack Of Reflection Signals Cultural Problem
- The review criticises a notable absence of individual reflection among senior figures, signalling a deeper cultural problem.
- Patricia Karvelas highlighted submissions blamed others and avoided personal accountability after consecutive election defeats.