LIBERAL Democrats candidate for Flinders Chrysten Abraham is hoping to increase the party’s relevance in a post COVID environment and sway voters who are disillusioned with government control.
The 25-year-old, pictured, who says she has lived on the Mornington Peninsula most of her “adult life”, is a first-time candidate in a federal election and says her party is about “small government”.
Aligning with the Reignite Democracy group told a political launch on Saturday 30 April that her party wanted “freedom, less government control and end to government overreach”, especially in regard to vaccine mandates and lockdowns.
“I believe the best way to stand for the people is to be a part of the Liberal Democrats as a sensible alternative to the major parties,” she said.
“We are a principled party, with strong values that believe government should be small, liberties should not be minimised, taxes should be reduced and elected officials are meant to represent the people – not dictate them.”
“I am running because I want to be the change I want to see in the world and if that inspires people along the way – good, we should be inspired.”
However, the future political landscape for the Liberal Democrats could become murkier, with the High Court recently finding that the party will have to change its name.
The case was sparked by the Liberal Party’s challenge to the party’s use of the word “Liberal” in its name.
The High Court in March found the electoral laws, which allow an established party to challenge a newer party over the use of the same words in its name, were valid.
But due to a complicated loophole relating to date of a name-change application, the Liberal Democrats have some time up their sleeves and are free to contest the 2022 election under the name Liberal Democrats.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 10 May 2022
