Commentary
The loss of the federal seat of Aston by the centre-right Liberal party is, unfortunately, simply the latest chapter in a saga of defeat and decline.
Consider the record. In the past few years, the Liberals have lost government in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales.
They have also failed to make any real dent in the dominance of Labor in Queensland and Victoria.
The Liberal Party also lost seats at the 2016 federal election and barely clung on to government in 2019 before losing in 2022.
This reflects a much longer trend.
Since 1990, Liberal/National Parties have only been in government in the states and territories for an average of 12 years….