Labor’s 20 per cent result in last weekend’s Hunter by-election is a warning to both the state and  federal party, but Liberals should also more critically assess the by-election’s implications, along with other recent state election results and developments, when their Federal Council meets this weekend in Canberra. 

Although Federal Council is largely an orchestrated public relations exercise these days, it nevertheless brings together Liberals from around Australia and provides an opportunity for serious discussion about the party’s future, beliefs and impending federal election. 

There is much to ponder. 

The Coalition’s success in Hunter and the recent Tasmanian results need to be considered in relation to March’s...