Leaking the Liberals' post-election analysis - another act of betrayal

Last, telling the world and especially your opponents, not just where you went wrong, but more importantly, what strategies you might adopt in the future seems dumb. It is signalling your next moves to your opponents. One of the challenges facing all oppositions is to stop just reacting to a government's initiatives and its tight control of the political agenda. An opposition must launch its own policies, catch the government off guard and try to reset the agenda in ways more favourable to itself. This cannot be done if you are giving your game away by releasing or leaking such reports.

As for Ms Goward's concerns about releasing the report to let party members and supporters know what went wrong, well you cannot be serious. Sadly, they know that already. They experienced it at first hand during the campaign. They heard the poor policies, cringed at the missed opportunities, and bemoaned the misplaced attacks on the public service. The unprofessional campaigning underwhelmed them, and the leadership debates frustrated them.

No, what supporters want and cry out for now is not more post-election analysis, not more examples of disloyalty like leaking confidential reports, but unity, stability and action from the Liberal leadership to set things right.

They want a clear articulation about what the Liberal Party stands for.

They want policies that form a cohesive whole.

They want the nation's problems squarely confronted.

They want the Albanese Government's failures exposed.

They want the Opposition's solutions presented and explained.

In short, they want the Liberals in coalition with the Nationals to be what any opposition is supposed to be – a "government in waiting" ready and able to take office and to be seen as such by a majority of voters – not an opposition digging in for the long haul.

The Liberals have wasted too much time since the 2025 election in self-flagellation, and personal and factional political point scoring. It sank Ley's leadership. Leaking this report might sink Taylor's leadership unless he really shows who is in charge. This is not a game for amateurs. this is about who is running the country.

Time is running out. The Prime Minister can call an election any time. I hear the election clock ticking.