About the Liberal Party
In 1944, the Liberal Party of Australia was founded after a three-day meeting held in a small hall not far from Parliament House in Canberra. The meeting was called by the then Leader of the Opposition (United Australia Party) Sir Robert Menzies.
Our Beliefs
We are the party of initiative and enterprise.
We believe in the inalienable rights and freedoms of all peoples; and we work towards a lean government that minimises interference in our daily lives; and maximises individual and private sector initiative.
Our Constitution
The constitution provides the Liberal Party of Australia with a foundation to effectively operate and represent the Australian people at a Federal level.
Our History
In 1944, the Liberal Party of Australia was founded after a three-day meeting held in a small hall not far from Parliament House in Canberra. The meeting was called by the then Leader of the Opposition (United Australia Party), Robert Menzies.
On October 16, 1944, the name The Liberal Party of Australia was adopted, uniting the many different political organisations. Two months later, at the Albury Conference, the Party’s organisational and constitutional framework was drawn up.
In 1996, the Australian people again re-elected the Liberal Party, in Coalition with the National Party of Australia, to govern Australia in a landslide win, and in 1998, 2001, 2004 and 2007 that government was re-elected.
Our Achievements
From 1996 to 2007, the Howard / Costello Government eliminated more than $96 billion in government debt, restored Australia’s AAA credit rating and delivered more jobs, the lowest unemployment rates in 33 years, lower inflation, lower interest rates, a lower tax burden, higher wages, more productive workplaces, higher pensions, better living standards, more funding for health, education, defence and transport, more funds for state governments and an economic resilience that is the envy of the developed world.
Our Structure
The Organisational and Parliamentary wings of the Liberal Party each have clearly defined and separate roles.
In the Liberal Party, the organisational wing cannot dictate policy but consults with and advises the Parliamentary wing, particularly on the development of longer-term policies.
The Organisational wing is based on the Party’s paid membership of supporters, and across Australia, the Liberal Party has more than 80,000 members in more than 2000 branches which are governed by their respective State Liberal Party structure - known as 'Divisions'.
Party People
Party Fundraising
Since its inception in 1944, The Liberal Party has been largely funded by donations from a wide cross section of the community in Australia. Without donations, the Party will be unable to continue its crucial role in supporting the democratic processes of the nation.
If you would like to make a donation, we would be most grateful for your support.
Donations can be made by:
Women's section
The Federal Women’s Committee (FWC) was established at the inaugural meeting of the Liberal Party Federal Council in August 1945. The FWC was incorporated in the constitution as an official component of the Party in October 1946, and has had representation on the Party’s Federal Executive since that time.
Young Liberals
As with so much of the early history of the Liberal Party of Australia, the origins of the Young Liberal Movement are very much tied up with the activities of Robert Menzies.
Later, in 1944, when Robert Menzies organised a meeting to discuss the creation of the Liberal Party, he invited the Young Nationalists to play a prominent role. Once the Liberal Party had been officially inaugurated on 31 August 1945, attention turned to the creation of a Young Liberal Movement. After a great deal of planning, a meeting was held in the Melbourne Town Hall on 12 December 1945, attended by over 750 people, and at that meeting the Young Liberal Movement came into being.
State Divisions