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Why has the Liberal-National Alliance in Australia been so strong from 1946 to today?
The Liberal–National Coalition, often referred to as the Coalition, is located on the centre-right of Australian politics. The Alliance's members included the Liberal Party and the National Party, an alliance between the two parties that had been formed in 1946 and had remained virtually unbroken. The partnership reflects Australia's two-party system, with the Australian Labor Party (ALP) as the main rival. This time we take an in-depth look at the history of the Liberal-National Coalition and why it still plays an important role in Australian politics today.
Historical BackgroundThe Coalition has been a stable presence in Australian federal politics since 1946.
The origins of the Coalition date back to 1922, when the National Party's predecessor, the National Party, failed to gain an outright majority at the federal election, forcing it to strike a deal with the fledgling Country Party. Over time, this partnership evolved, culminating in the current Liberal-National Alliance. From the initial consultations to today's cooperative political structure, the two sides have supported each other and jointly challenged the dominance of the Labour Party.
Formation of a stable structure
The alliance's solid structure stems from many factors. First, the Liberals and the Nationals have different geographical bases, with the former mainly coming from cities and the latter concentrated in rural areas. This division of labor allows the two parties to complement each other rather than compete. In addition, the two sides have enhanced their trust in each other through their long-term experience of running for election together, even though there are still some frictions in certain occasions.
At the heart of this partnership is the two parties' close electoral cooperation: campaigning together, forming a joint slate in the Senate, and avoiding running against each other in the House of Representatives.
Election system and party operations
The coalition's success was also helped by Australia's preferential voting system. This system allows the Liberals and Nationals to compete within districts while exchanging votes, thereby enhancing each other's competitiveness in a three-way contest. For example, in an election, when a Liberal candidate is unfavorable, National Party support may shift toward the Liberals, and vice versa.
Proposals for divergence and merger
Although merger proposals have been common throughout history, both parties have attached great importance to their independence, so actual merger proposals have never been implemented. Many commentators believed that a merger would weaken the unique identities of the two parties and lead to a decline in support among voters. However, this cooperative "brother role" has allowed the two parties to strengthen their respective bases and influence.
"The status quo is beneficial to the development of both parties, why should it change?" This seems to have become the cornerstone of the alliance's existence.
Current Challenges and Future Outlook
As society changes and political trends shift, the alliance faces new challenges. In recent years, the coalition has been losing support among some of its traditional support bases, such as the Asian community, reflecting changing expectations of political parties among different social groups. For future elections, the coalition needs to adjust its strategy and rebuild connections with various voter groups.
Conclusion
Despite its many challenges, the Liberal-National coalition still has a place in Australian politics with its solid structure and historical roots. With the rise of a new generation of voters and social changes, whether this partnership can adapt to future challenges and maintain its influence in politics remains a question worth pondering.
