Letter

In response to It is time for a real liberal party

Mr Barnes' potted history of centrist politics

I would like to draw your attention to Mr Barnes failure to mention the role of the Australian Democrats in national politics in the 1990s and early years of this century. It is also typical of commentary from former and current members of the two party state (ALP and LNP) to overlook the importance of the Democrats centrist position. By and large, they delivered Howard and Costello’s tax reform, ie GST, yet were socially progressive. Is it possible their centrist policies empowered the LNP conservatives?

— Robert Barber from Mudgee