LNP Vic State Conference - 165 Agenda Final 10 April

165 State Council
Agenda
Melbourne Park Function Centre

28 – 29 April 2018
The National Anthem
‘Advance Australia Fair’

Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;
We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in nature’s gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history’s page, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.
LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA
(VICTORIAN DIVISION)
165th State Council

Agenda
28 & 29 April 2018

INDEX

PAGE

AGENDA ........................................................................................................................... 2

POLICY FORUMS …………………………………………………………………………………………………….... 4

SUMMARY OF MOTIONS ................................................................................................ 5

A – Federal Motions (Nos 1‐11) ................................................................................... 9

B – State Motions (Nos 12‐43) .................................................................................... 14

C – Constitutional Motions – Administrative Committee /
Electorate Conferences / Branches / Others (Nos 44‐70) .................................... 26

D – Organisational Motions (Nos 71‐79) .................................................................... 38

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS .................................................................................. 41

ATTENDANCE RECORDS – ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE ............................................ 56

ATTENDANCE RECORDS – STATE ASSEMBLY .................................................................. 57

STATE COUNCIL OFFICE BEARERS & OFFICIALS .............................................................. 63
‐ 1 ‐
Program - Saturday, 28 April 2018

REGISTRATION 7:30 am
(New Delegates’ and New Members’ Briefing on State Council) 8:30 – 8:45 am

OPENING 9:00 – 9:15 am
The National Anthem
State Council Welcome
Apologies
Credentials Report
Agenda Committee Report

REPORTS 9:15 – 9:45 am
State President’s Report
State Director’s Report
Treasurer’s Report

ELECTIONS 9:45 – 10:30 am
Appointment of Returning Officer
Elections – President, Treasurer, Vice‐Presidents

STATE ADDRESS 10:30 – 11:15 am
Introduction: Michael Lamb, Candidate for Frankston
The Hon Matthew Guy MP, Leader of the Opposition
Vote of Thanks: Louise Staley MP, Member for Ripon

FEDERAL ADDRESS 11:15 – 12:00 pm
The Hon Julie Bishop MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs
Awards Presentation

MOTIONS
B – State Motions (Nos 12 ‐ 43) 12:00 – 1:00 pm

LUNCH 1:00 – 2:00 pm
(Note: Voting for Administrative Committee, Agenda Committee and State Assembly is from 1:00pm –
5:00pm)

NEW MEMBERS FORUM 1:30 – 2:00 pm

MOTIONS 2:00 – 5:30 pm
D – Organisational Motions (Nos 71 ‐ 79)
C – Constitutional Motions (Nos 44 – 70)
‐ 2 ‐
Program - Sunday, 29 April 2018

REGISTRATION 8:00 – 9:00 am

POLICY FORUMS: (see attached program) 9:00 – 10:00 am

FEDERAL REDISTRIBUTION TASKFORCE 10.15 – 10.30am

MOTIONS
A – Federal Motions (Nos 1‐11) 10.30 – 1:25pm
B – State Motions (Nos 12‐43 cont.)

Vote of Undebated Motions 1:25 – 1:30 pm

Close of Council 1:30 pm

(Please note: In accordance with Standing Order 3.6, prior to closing the meeting, the chairman will seek
a general indication (by a non‐binding show of hands) as to Council’s views on any undebated policy
motions. This procedure is intended as a guide for those submitting motions and in no way limits the
right to re‐submit a motion; nor does it represent an official Determination of Council).

‐ 3 ‐
Sunday 29 April 2018

POLICY FORUMS

Time Policy Forums Speakers Room

9:00 – Law and Order Convenor – Grant Hutchinson t.b.a
10:00am

9:00 – CFA and Volunteers Convenor – David Van t.b.a.
10:00am

9:00 – Cost of Living Convenor – Michael Pointer t.b.a.
10:00am

9:00 – Transport / Convenor – Jenny Mullholland t.b.a.
10:00am Population /
Planning

‐ 4 ‐
Summary of Motions
A. Federal Motions (Nos 1- 11)
1. Reduction in Energy Costs Blackburn Branch

2. Taxing Trade Union Income Barwon Heads Branch

3. Medicare Rebates – Psychologists Eildon SEC

4. Israel United Nations Votes Caulfield SEC

5. Religious Freedom Croydon South Branch

6. Immigration Intake Rye Branch

7. Housing Affordability Local Government, Planning,
Transport & Infrastructure Forum

8. Staff for Members of Parliament Watson plus 10 Members

9. Sex Discrimination Act Geelong Branch

10. Antarctic Exploration Burwood SEC

11. RET Abolishment Wannon Area Conference

B. State Motions (Nos 12-43)
12. Policing and Law and Order Sunbury Branch

13. Drug Enforcement Laws Law and Order Policy Forum

14. Country Roads and Bridges Eildon SEC

15. Energy Subsidies – Wind and Solar Camperdown Branch

16. Criminal Justice System Law and Order Policy Forum

17. Energy Generation – Coal, Gas and Hydro Camperdown Branch

18. Illegal Brothels Legend Park Branch

19. Outer Metropolitan Ring Road Tarneit SEC

20. Motor Cycle Safety Levy South West Coast SEC

21. Great Ocean Road Camperdown Branch

22. Payroll Tax Horsham Branch

‐ 5 ‐
23. Melbourne Airport Rail Link Tarneit SEC

24. Weed Eradication Eildon SEC

25. Right to Farm Legislation Eildon SEC
26. Waste Recycling Heathmont Branch

27. Safe Schools Replacement Liberal Pride Branch

28. Safe Schools Hotham FEC

29. Local Government Elections Heathmont Branch

30. Children Legislation Amendment Bill 2017 Hotham FEC

31. Growth Area Infrastructure Contribution Local Government, Planning,

32. Level Crossing Removals Local Government, Planning,

33. Airport Shuttle Bus Liberal Pride Branch

34. Hume Freeway Increased Speed Limit Tarneit SEC

35. Electricity Infrastructure ‐ Upgrade Camperdown Branch

36. Great Forest National Park Hotham FEC

37. Service Victoria Bill 2017 Hotham FEC

38. Helmeted Honeyeater Croydon South Branch

39. Gender Transitioning Menzies Warrandyte YL
40. Puppy Farm Legislation McArthur Plus 10 Members

41. Electronic Gaming Machine Licences Daylesford Branch

42. Judiciary Inquiry Terang Branch

43. Cobden Airstrip Terang Branch

‐ 6 ‐
C. Constitutional Motions – Administrative Committee/
Electorate Conferences/ Branches / Others (Nos 44-70)
44. Abolition of Area Finance System Administrative Committee

45. State Finance Committee Administrative Committee

46. Grandfathered Membership Hotham FEC

47. Returning Officers – Internal Elections Surrey Hills Branch

48. Pre selections – Local Member Heathmont Branch

50. Nomination Forms – Delegates to State Council Officer / Beaconsfield Branch

51. Sale of 104 Exhibition Street Surrey Hills Branch

52. Administrative Committee Pre selection Eligibility Schneider Plus 10 Members

53. Delegate to State Council Officer / Beaconsfield Branch

54. Delegate to State Assembly Officer / Beaconsfield Branch

55. SEC Chairmen and REC Membership Essendon SEC

56. Activity and Tenure Test Westernport Branch

57. Voting Member – 12 Months Qualification Burwood SEC

58. Residence Definition Surrey Hills Branch
59. Member Transfers – FEC / SEC Miftari Plus 10 Members

60. Vetting Member Transfers – FEC / SEC Miftari Plus 10 Members

61. Internal Governance Committee Miftari Plus 10 Members

62. Dispute Procedures Miftari Plus 10 Members

63. Contact Details – Members Seeking Election Essendon SEC

64. REC Office Bearers Essendon SEC

65. Time Period for Approving Membership Applications Watson Plus 10 Members

66. Electorate Conference Transfers Hotham FEC

67. One Applicant Process Essendon SEC
‐ 7 ‐
68. Mailed Postal Ballots for State Council Delegates Eildon SEC
69. Time Restrictions – FEC / SEC Ballot Papers Return Eildon SEC
70. Annual Meetings – Every Second Year Administrative Committee

D. Organisational Motions (Nos 71-79)

71. Membership Fee Price Increase Administrative Committee

72. Federal Pre selections Surrey Hills Branch

73. Membership Study Rye Branch

74. Membership Investigation Officer/Beaconsfield Branch

75. PPB Advisory Report Surrey Hills Branch

76. Party’s Governance Report Hannan Plus 10 Members

77. Administrative Committee Glenhuntly Branch

78. Pre selection Accreditation Rye Branch

79. Administrative Committee Rye Branch

‐ 8 ‐
A. Federal Motions (Nos 1-11)

1. Reduction in Energy Costs Blackburn Branch

“That this State Council calls upon the Federal and Victorian Liberal Parties to prioritise policies that
reduce the cost and improve the reliability of energy and supply by removing distortionary subsidies
on renewables and penalise traditional energy sources; including removing artificial restrictions on
energy exploration and development.”

Due to recent energy supply blackouts, resulting in everything from inconvenience to deaths, it is
now imperative that the restrictions be removed from gas exploration so it may proceed unheeded
and prevent shortages and blackouts in the future.

Federal Minister and State Shadow Minister responsible: Minister for Environment and Energy, the
Hon Josh Frydenberg MP, Mr David Southwick MP, Shadow Minister for Energy.

2. Taxing Trade Union Income Barwon Heads Branch

“This State Council calls upon the Federal Government to consider that investments or non‐
subscription income and capital gains earned or made by trade unions be taxed at the corporate
rate.”

The tax free status of trade unions has resulted in significant accumulation of investments.
Investment income and capital gains assists in funding the Labor Party.
Despite falling trade union membership, tax free income and capital from investments have made the
unions relatively wealthy and able to fund their political causes.
The tax exempt status of unions gives them an unfair advantage to accumulate wealth.

Federal Minister responsible: The Treasurer, the Hon Scott Morrison MP.

3. Medicare Rebates – Psychologists Eildon SEC

“That this State Council calls on the Federal Government to remove the discrimination against the
majority of psychologists registered by the Psychology Board of Australia by removing the two tier
Medicare rebate under the Better Access Scheme and replacing it with a single rate applicable to
the clients of all “Registered Psychologists.”

The country is suffering a mental health crisis with more than 8 Australians committing suicide every
day. The ability to deal with this problem is exacerbated by the discriminatory two tiered Medicare
rebate. Australia has 35,369 Registered Psychologists of which 8,214 (or only 23.2%) are “Endorsed
Clinical” Psychologists. The great majority of the clinical psychologists are in metropolitan Australia.
The Medicare rebate for a session with a Registered Psychologist is about $84 and for a Clinical
Psychologist about $124 to perform the same treatment with the same outcome. This must be
rectified to a single Medicare rebate for the clients of all psychologists

Federal Minister responsible: Minister for Health, the Hon Greg Hunt MP.
‐ 9 ‐

4. Israel United Nations Votes Caulfield SEC

“That this State Council calls upon the Federal Government to vote alongside Israel and the US and
cease abstaining at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, or any other UN forum, on motions
that are critical of Israel including its right to name Jerusalem as its capital city.”

Australia has traditionally been one of the few nations prepared to stand alongside Israel in one of
the most hostile environments the Jewish State is forced to endure: the United Nations. Indeed, the
UN is a forum where more resolutions criticizing the Middle East's sole democracy are regularly
presented than those against notorious human rights abusers including Syria, Iran and North Korea,
combined. Australia, as Israel's ally, should do the right thing and restore the Howard‐era tradition of
voting against shameful anti‐Israel UN resolutions ‐ particularly regarding recognition of Jerusalem as
its capital ‐ instead of shirking responsibility by abstaining.

Federal Minister responsible: Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop MP.

5. Religious Freedom Croydon South Branch

“That this State Council calls upon the Federal Government to comprehensively legislate to protect
religious freedom. In doing so, the Federal Government should seek to protect:
1. Parents in relation to the rearing and education of their children;
2. Individuals to not be coerced into making or endorsing a statement with which they
disagree;
3. Charities in relation to their policies and practices;
4. Religious organisations in relation to their services and facilities, policies and practices;
5. Religious organisations and individuals having access to Government funding;
6. Individuals to express their views on same‐sex marriage and other issues; and
7. Celebrants in relation to the conduct of ceremonies."

Freedom of religion intersects with and relies upon other fundamental freedoms of conscience,
speech and association, and these must be equally upheld and protected.
We are concerned at the development of anti‐discrimination laws that place other interests above
those of religious belief. Religious belief should be no exception, but rather, a substantive, recognised
right.

Federal Minister responsible: Attorney General, the Hon Christian Porter MP.

‐ 10 ‐
6. Immigration Intake Rye Branch

“That this State Council calls upon the Federal Coalition Government to move to reduce the
international immigration intake to a total of 100,000 (permanent migrant and humanitarian
combined) per annum as a target to be implemented in the first term of the next Federal Coalition
Government.”

Australia is considered to be one of the world's major "immigration nations", together with New
Zealand, Canada and the USA. Since 1945 over 7.5 million people have settled here. Australia's
overseas born population is approximately 28.2%; high compared to most other OECD countries. The
current population of Australia is 24.13 million. Currently the permanent migrant intake is 190,000
plus 17,500 under the humanitarian program for a total of 207,500. The current intake of 207,500 is
placing considerable strain on resources including: housing, health, education, training, transport,
other services and infrastructure, and social welfare, and is unsustainable.

Federal Minister responsible: Minister for Immigration, the Hon Peter Dutton MP.

7. Housing Affordability Local Government, Planning,

“State Council calls on both State and Federal Governments to focus on housing affordability as a
key election issue affecting many younger voters and young families. We ask them to focus on
overall taxation reform, in‐particular, that no further taxes or levies be imposed on development
and where possible, taxes imposed by the previous Andrews Government be unwound. In addition
we call on an incoming Guy Government to increase the approval of precinct structure plans to
allow the release of additional land in growth areas.”

Housing affordability is an issue which affects many younger people. Increasingly the parents and
families of younger people have expressed frustration at a seeming lack of action on affordability. We
would call on a Liberal National State Government to unwind the many development taxes now
placed on property by this reckless Andrews Government. In addition we ask that land release in
growth areas be accelerated in order to increase housing supply. Lastly that both State and Federal
Governments focus on this issue to find genuine policy responses to solve this problem.

Federal Minister and State Shadow Minister responsible: Treasurer, the Hon Scott Morrison MP,
Shadow Treasurer, the Hon Michael O’Brien MP.

‐ 11 ‐
8. Staff for Members of Parliament Watson plus 10 Members

“This motion urgently requests the Department of Finance, which employs staff for Members of
Parliament, to implement robust sexual harassment policies and procedures applicable under the
1984 Members of Parliament (Staff) Act.”

Staff working directly for Members of Parliament, though chosen by the Members, are employed by
the Department of Finance. This unusual relationship is governed by the 1984 Members of Parliament
(Staff) Act and its accompanying framework. The current policies and procedures to prevent and
address sexual harassment are grossly deficient, and fall well short of the best practice guidelines
from the Australian Human Rights Commission. The Liberal Party should be the leader in establishing
frameworks to protect staff in the workplace.

Federal Minister responsible: Minister for Finance, Senator the Hon Matthias Cormann.

9. Sex Discrimination Act Geelong Branch

“This State Council calls on:
1. the Federal Parliamentary Parties to seek to amend the Commonwealth Sex Discrimination Act to
re‐insert “man” and “woman” in place of “Sexual Orientation” and “Gender Identity” (SOGI) and:
(a) to define them as biological and by their reproductive function as “man” and “woman”; and
(b) to define “sex” as biological; and
(c) sex as male or female.
2. the Victorian Parliamentary Party to seek to repeal SOGI from the Victorian Equal Opportunity
Act to ensure it is consistent with the Federal Sex Discrimination Act.”

Biological man and woman are being written out of law. The solution is to commit to write the
definitions of “sex”, “man”, “woman” into laws, in place of “gender identity”. A man is a member of
the male sex, as defined by reproductive function; a woman is a member of the female sex, as
defined by reproductive function. What was once just self‐evident must be written into law to protect
all the rights, privileges and access to services that have taken for granted, and to protect freedom of
speech, conscience, belief and religion, which are essential to a free democracy.

Federal Minister responsible: Attorney‐General, the Hon Christian Porter MP.

‐ 12 ‐
10. Antarctic Exploration Burwood SEC

“That State Council calls upon the Coalition Government to increase exploration activities in the
Australian Antarctic Territories to match the activities of China.”

Australia has claimed 42% of Antarctica since 1933. Antarctica is home to natural resources and 90%
of the earth’s fresh water resources. China has developed a presence in the Antarctic through the
establishment of four research stations, three of which are located in the Australian Antarctic
Territory. China has two ice breakers while Australia only has one. The Chinese Government recently
announced plans to build a fifth research base located in the oil rich Ross Sea region. This growing
Chinese presence could threaten Australia’s claim over its territory under the Antarctic Treaty which
is up for review in the future.

Federal Minister responsible: Minister for Territories, the Hon DR John McVeigh MP.

11. RET Abolishment Wannon Area Conference
“That this State Council moves that we abolish the RET scheme immediately with the aim of
correcting the damage that has been generated by the massive subsidies being given to foreign
companies to generate inefficient & expensive power which is destroying Australian business”.

We must immediately commence building an alternative source of power, coal fire power station,
preferably nuclear.

Federal Minister responsible: Minister for Environment and Energy, the Hon Josh Frydenberg MP.
‐ 13 ‐
B. State Motions (Nos 12-43)
12. Policing and Law and Order Sunbury Branch

“That the incoming Guy Government act to address policing as it relates to the serious law and
order problems in Victoria. Adoption of measures to restore police authority and morale, and to
encourage development in our legal system of zero tolerance of minor misdemeanours, is urgently
needed.”

The widely publicised violent behaviour of gang members has highlighted this issue. The community
has lost confidence in the ability, motivation and capacity of police to discourage and control lawless
behaviour. Attention to both police resources and training, and issues around the Magistrates Court
are urgent. Balancing social support issues for offenders should also be given priority.

Shadow Minister responsible: Shadow Attorney General, Mr John Pesutto MP.

13. Drug Enforcement Laws Law & Order Policy Forum

“Whilst we recognise and commend the development of a 'detox and rehabilitation of drug users'
policy, nevertheless, in line with the Liberal Party’s policy of prioritising crime prevention over harm
minimisation, we urge a future Guy Coalition Government to approach the 'prevention of harm
from illicit drugs' objective from the perspective of prioritising enforcement of drug laws above a
harm minimisation approach that significantly ’turns a blind eye’ to drug offending.”

The harm caused to individuals, their families and society generally by illicit drugs has led to a
monumental impost on the Australian taxpayer, through increased health costs and a general
reduction in wellbeing. Consistent with the philosophy of the Liberal Party, which values individual
dignity together with community responsibility, we need to take a stand which leads to demand
reduction and harm prevention when it comes to illicit drugs.

Shadow Minister responsible: Shadow Minister for Health, the Hon Mary Wooldridge MP.

14. Country Roads and Bridges Eildon SEC

“That this State Council calls on the Victorian Parliamentary Liberal Party when in Government to
reinstate the Country Roads and Bridges Initiative and commit to a major capital upgrade of the
Melba Highway.”

Following the Victorian Government withdrawing the Country Roads and Bridges Initiative from rural
shires, these facilities throughout Victoria have deteriorated at an alarming rate as a consequence of
the shires now having insufficient funds to maintain this important infrastructure. This is required to
ensure that the State’s primary production can be transported to market in a timely and cost effective
manner.
Furthermore the VicRoads controlled Melba Highway that links Gippsland and the Eastern
Metropolitan producers and businesses to Northern Victoria and beyond is now totally inadequate to
cope with the volume of freight and tourist traffic that it is required to carry.

Shadow Minister responsible: Shadow Minister for Roads, the Hon David Hodgett MP.
‐ 14 ‐
15. Energy Subsidies – Wind and Solar Camperdown Branch

“That this State Council calls on the Victorian Parliamentary Liberal Party to adopt and advocate a
policy that allows electricity generation using wind and solar but without either subsidies or must
take mandates.”

Wind and solar are useful sources of electrical power and should be allowed. However they are
unable to provide dispatchable electricity with 95% availability 24/7. Wind and solar installations, at
the conclusion of their economic or mechanical life, need to be removed from the landscape and not
be left as a rusting memorial to this folly. All electricity generation, whether by coal, gas, hydro, wind
or solar should be subsidised at the same rate per Kwh – this rate should be $ZERO. If electricity is to
be subsidised then this should occur at the consumption phase not at the generation phase.

Shadow Minister responsible: Shadow Minister for Energy, Mr David Southwick MP.

16. Criminal Justice System Law & Order Policy Forum

“The Liberal Party Parliamentary team is commended for its policy announcements that aim to reset
the balance of priorities in favour of victims in our criminal justice system. We encourage the Liberal
Party Parliamentary team to continue developing and announcing such policies and we urge a
future Guy Coalition Government to legislate these policies to prioritise the needs of victims above
offenders.”

While our legal system recognises the presumption of innocence (which we believe should be
preserved), the criminal justice system has failed victims of crime who have experienced loss, grief
and alienation. While we applaud the steps taken to date by the Victorian Liberal Party to address
these concerns, we trust that the policy announcements will be quickly implemented into law upon
achieving government.

Shadow Minister responsible: Shadow Attorney‐General, Mr John Pesutto MP.

17. Energy Generation – Coal, Gas and Hydro Camperdown Branch

policy that maintains the continued generation of electricity using, coal, gas and hydro.”

Victoria has an abundance of coal reserves, significant onshore gas to be extracted and mountain
ranges ripe for hydro‐electric development. Victoria, once an industrial power house, had cheap
reliable electricity. This is fast becoming history. Victoria needs a robust energy policy that maintains,
updates and develops our existing onshore in ground resources to generate electricity.


‐ 15 ‐
18. Illegal Brothels Legend Park Branch

“To protect vulnerable women, this State Council calls upon the incoming Guy Government
to adopt a more sensible policing policy known as the 'Nordic Model' as it:

i) jointly targets sex trafficking, illegal prostitution, drugs and organised crime, and
ii) prosecutes not only illegal brothel operators and pimps but also patrons rather than prostitutes.”

Sexual services have surged into our suburbs, in the guise of massage parlours. They are now closer
to our homes and schools than ever before. Secure suburban havens in which to raise healthy and
happy families are under increasing threat.
The Nordic Model criminalises the purchase of sex, i.e., the clients, brothel owners and pimps while
not criminalising the actions of prostitutes.
This has dramatically driven down demand for prostitution and sex trafficking in six European
countries and Canada. Others are considering. It also provides support for prostitutes to leave the
industry, and public education on the harms of prostitution.

Shadow Minister responsible: Shadow Minister for Police, Mr Edward O’Donohue MP.

19. Outer Metropolitan Ring Road Tarneit SEC

“That this State Council calls upon a newly elected Victorian Liberal‐National Government to
immediately start the planning process and land acquisition required to construct the Outer
Metropolitan Ring Road/E6 after the 2018 State Election.”

The Outer Metropolitan Ring Road/E6 is a proposed transport reservation that will connect together
the population growth corridors of Melbourne’s West and North with the East Werribee, La Trobe &
Sunshine National Employment Corridors, ultimately creating a freeway standard bypass of the
Melbourne Metropolitan Area. This will ease congestion in the outer suburbs and improve travel
times/connectivity between Melbourne and Avalon Airports, the Port of Geelong, the preferred new
port site at Bay West and the proposed interstate intermodal freight terminals at Donnybrook and
Truganina. Acquiring the land now will allow savings up to $748 million off the total cost.


20. Motor Cycle Safety Levy South West Coast SEC

“That an incoming Guy Government immediately remove the so called safety levy from the
registration fee for motorcycles.”

This levy is an inequitable tax on motorcycles only.
If the money raised is used for safety upgrades on the road network, then surely it benefits all road
users, who should all contribute equally. This year the tax was $70 on top of registration and TAC.
Motorcycle registrations have increased by 22% between 2010 and 2015. There are now more than
160,000 motorcycle owners in Victoria. Based on those figures this tax would raise $11,200,000 this
year, taking into account scooters below 160cc capacity are not included.

‐ 16 ‐

21. Great Ocean Road Camperdown Branch

policy that delivers a single management authority; with a sustainable funding model; to manage,
maintain, develop and market the Great Ocean Road (GOR) and its associated facilities.”

Victoria’s GOR (243kms Torquay to Allansford, Surf Coast, Colac Otway and Corangamite Shires) is a
national icon, with huge domestic and international appeal. However at the moment this icon is a
national “disgrace”. With some 20 authorities (Councils, State Departments, etc) involved in planning
and squandering resources the GOR is a shambles. Roads and facilities (toilets, car parks, lookouts,
etc) are in urgent need of repair and development. A single management authority, operating with a
sustainable financial business model and having powers to develop, maintain and lease areas and
facilities to private enterprise, is needed for the GOR.

Shadow Minister responsible: Shadow Minister for Tourism, Ms Heidi Victoria MP.

22. Payroll Tax Horsham Branch

“That payroll tax be abolished for rural businesses, or that the annual threshold at which it applies –
$650,000 from 1 July 2018 – be increased by a significant amount, such as a minimum of $7.5
million.”

This would create a stronger and simpler incentive than what exists currently for businesses to
relocate regionally or expand their regional operations. Current policy enshrines a two‐tier tax rate
(3.65% and 4.85%) with the lower tax rate applying to the regional parts of the business, as well as an
85% rule that keeps the benefits in regional areas. Replacing the two‐tier system with a higher
threshold, and retaining the 85% rule, would create a simpler and more comprehensible system for
employers. This motion would encompass rural businesses with 100 employees and is in line with
Party policy on decentralisation.

Shadow Minister responsible: Shadow Treasurer, the Hon Michael O’Brien MP.

23. Melbourne Airport Rail Link Tarneit SEC

“That this State Council calls upon a newly elected Victorian Liberal‐National Government to
commit to the construction of the Melbourne Airport Rail Link within their first term of
government.”

Melbourne is experiencing the difficulties of rapid growth, urban sprawl and traffic congestion
choking the city. The Airport Rail Link, coupled with its integration into the Regional Rail Network will
help re‐balance Victoria’s population from its focus in Melbourne to regional centres such as
Geelong, Ballarat and Seymour. The Napthine Government promised to build the Rail Link after the
2014 State Election if re‐elected. Since this did not occur, the modification of the Coalition’s original
plan must occur to take into account the unprecedented changes that rapid population growth has
wielded upon the state.

Shadow Minister responsible: Shadow Minister for Public Transport, the Hon David Davis MP.
‐ 17 ‐
24. Weed Eradication Eildon SEC

“That this State Council calls on the Victorian Parliamentary Liberal Party when in Government to
ensure Parks Victoria, VicRoads and Local Councils attempt to eradicate weeds such as blackberries
and other invasive vegetation as well as vermin including wild dogs, pigs, deer, Indian Mynah etc.”

Invasive weeds and feral animals are creating a major environmental problem throughout Victoria.
Weeds such a blackberries are choking creeks and rivers and creating a major problem for the ever
expanding tourism sector or recreational fishing amongst other things.
Insufficient control is being exerted over parklands and roadsides resulting in the weeds and vermin
expanding into roadside reserves and private land damaging crops, pastures and fencing.
Furthermore the uncontrolled vegetation on VicRoads and Shire Council road reserves represents a
major fire hazard that has proved difficult to control.

Shadow Minister responsible: Shadow Minister for Environment, Mr Nick Wakeling MP.

25. Right to Farm Legislation Eildon SEC
" That this State Council calls on the Victorian Parliamentary Liberal Party when in Government to
promote the introduction of "Right to Farm" legislation that will ensure that primary industry
activities can be conducted unencumbered by adverse planning or other regulations that are
inconsistent with modern food and fibre production technology."

Rapid urban expansion in our major cities and subdivision of land adjacent to rural and regional cities
and towns is encroaching on prime agricultural land, and although some of this expansion is inevitable
we need to enact policies to ensure that most of that land remains available for primary production.
New and existing primary industries are being retarded by unnecessary bureaucracy and planning
overlays that are preventing our primary producers from achieving efficient and maximum levels of
production that will be needed if we, as a nation, are to benefit from the opportunities that are
available to us in the near future.

Shadow Minister responsible: Shadow Minister for Planning, the Hon David Davis MP.

26. Waste Recycling Heathmont Branch

“That an incoming Liberal Coalition Government institutes policies to ensure that the large
quantities of waste being produced by our economy are effectively reprocessed to provide energy
and raw materials for new products. Producers are to be encouraged to package their products in
such a manner as to enable final users to facilitate the separation of the various used materials for
efficient disposal and recycling.”

China has been taking waste products in large volumes and has just announced that they will no
longer do so. Therefore, it has become urgent that we take action to establish viable reprocessing
facilities using new and existing technology.
Until recently, we have allowed huge quantities of different materials to accumulate on unsuitable
sites and where possible exporting them.
Most waste materials such as tyres, plastics and paper can be reused. Currently, we process sewage
and utilize the methane produced and the purified water in appropriate ways.
Our continued good health and quality of life depends on taking action now.

‐ 18 ‐

27. Safe Schools Replacement Liberal Pride Branch

“That a Guy Liberal Coalition Government ensures the replacement program for Safe Schools
protects all students, particularly vulnerable minority groups such as LGBT youths and youths living
with disability. The program should encourage mutual respect, tolerance and social cohesion in an
age appropriate way and in partnership with schooling and parent communities.”

The Liberal Pride Branch fully supports the removal of the Safe Schools Program, taking Marxist
ideology and radical social theory out of ore classrooms. However, it must be clear that any
replacement program will ensure that all students, particularly vulnerable minority groups such as
LGBT youths and youths living with disability, will be specifically supported in a replacement anti‐
bullying program supporting children, and not pushing ideology. A clear policy statement supporting
LGBT students is vital when campaigning in key marginal seats: Prahran, Albert Park and Melbourne
Ports.

Shadow Minister responsible: Shadow Minister for Education, Mr Tim Smith MP.

28. Safe Schools Hotham FEC

“This State Council calls on the Victorian Parliamentary Party to reaffirm and respect parental rights
to teach their own children when appropriate, sex education, and that the Victorian Parliamentary
Party:
(a) Ban the use of Safe Schools’ resources in Victorian schools.
(b) Ensure that no gender fluid or relationships curriculum or resources that teach children that a
person’s gender may be different to their biological sex and that people can transition be allowed in
schools.
(c) Review the sex education curricula, "Catching on Early "and "Catching on Later " and associated
programs, in particular to assess age appropriateness, and that students are not being taught
about dangerous/harmful sexual acts, or being directed to websites and other sources where they
can find information about such topics.
(d) Ensure that schools must give parents full information about all sex and relationships education
resources or curricula that are intended to be used by the school and that any such resources or
curricula only be used where parents have signed a consent form to opt their child in.”

State Council does not accept that getting children to question their sexual identity or experiment
with risky sexual behaviours should continue or that introducing children to these ideas will prevent
bullying or domestic violence. There are currently sexuality and relationships curriculum, programs
and resources in schools, such as “Safe Schools” resources and “Resilience Rights and Respectful
Relationships” curriculum (which includes “Resilience Rights and Respectful Relationships” resources)
that present children and adolescents with these false and misleading ideas and have been
introduced into schools for the purported purpose of preventing bullying and/or domestic violence.
Shadow Minister responsible: Shadow Minister for Education, Mr Tim Smith MP.
‐ 19 ‐
29. Local Government Elections Heathmont Branch

“That this State Council supports the disclosure by candidates for Local Government, of the details
of all political parties to which they have belonged during the past five years including the party to
which they currently belong. These details are to be published by the local council and made
available to all eligible voters when advising them of the names and statements of all those who
have nominated.”

This will prevent candidates claiming to be “independent” when, in fact, they are paid‐up members of
a political party. The current requirement is that candidates advise if they are endorsed by a political
party. As a result, ALP candidates simply say no and can still obtain support through party contacts.
Voters are unaware of this situation.
A typical example was in the City of Maroondah at the last council elections, where Mike Symon
(former ALP Member for Deakin), who did not disclose the connection, was elected for a ward in
which he is not resident.

Shadow Minister responsible: Shadow Minister for Local Government, Mr David Morris MP.

30. Children Legislation Amendment Bill 2017 Hotham FEC

“That this State Council calls upon the incoming Guy Coalition Government to stop the
implementation of the ‘Children Legislation Amendment (Information Sharing) Bill 2017’ and either
repeal or comprehensively amend the Bill and its associated programmes.”

The Children's Royal Commission and various reports have noted that poor communication between
responsible schools, welfare and health professionals have allowed harm to occur to numerous
children in the past. This Bill aims to treat all Victorian born children as ‘at risk’ and to be monitored
and reported on until their 18th birthday. It is a savage removal of privacy and has little or no control.
It specifically removes the right to sue for errors and costs for errors, and it removes the privacy rights
of adults who have any association with children (political views included). This is worthy of a police
state.

Shadow Minister responsible: Shadow Minister for Families & Children, Ms Georgie Crozier MP.

31. Growth Area Infrastructure Contribution Local Government,

Planning, Transport &
Infrastructure Forum

“State Council calls on an incoming Guy Liberal Coalition Government
to release money collected though the GAIC system to be used to build the
community and other infrastructure for which it was intended to be used.”

The Government has collected the GAIC levy from developers in order to build infrastructure
associated with new communities in new estates. This includes, amongst other things, sporting
grounds and facilities, transport infrastructure, and parks and recreational areas. The Andrews
Government has instead chosen to keep this collected revenue in order to prop up their weak
fiscal position. We call on an incoming Guy Government to free up this capital and spend it on
the communities for which it was intended.

Shadow Minister responsible: Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, the Hon David Hodgett MP.

‐ 20 ‐
32. Level Crossing Removals Local Government,
Planning, Transport &
Infrastructure Forum

“We call on State Council to condemn the actions of the Andrews Labor Government in hoodwinking
communities along the Frankston line and similarly other communities in Essendon and other parts
of the state who have had inappropriate Skyrail and road trench solutions imposed on them by this
deceitful Andrews Government. Those communities will now suffer with graffiti, overshadowing and
hooliganism which is associated with such short sighted solutions.”

We call on an incoming Guy Liberal Coalition Government to review the contracts in place for these
poor solutions and where possible and feasible, to vary the contracts to provide the affected
communities with more appropriate responses.


33. Airport Shuttle Bus Liberal Pride Branch

“That a Guy Liberal Coalition Government reiterates its support for an Airport Rail Link, and will
begin detailed planning works as a priority. In the interim, the Guy Government will implement a
Public Transport Victoria express shuttle bus between Broadmeadows Train Station and Melbourne
Airport every 10 minutes as an immediate measure until an Airport Rail Link is completed.”

In 2014 the Napthine Government committed to constructing a true public transport link to
Tullamarine from the CBD. Currently the Tullamarine Freeway caters to 30 million travellers annually.
This is set to more than double by 2030. Had the Napthine Government been returned this project
would have been completed in 2023/24. Shamefully the Andrews Labor Government scrapped this
project, leaving a future Guy Liberal Government to make up for lost time. In the interim, we
encourage a Guy Government to provide a public transport connection via an express shuttle service
between the closest metro station, Broadmeadows, and the Airport.


‐ 21 ‐
34. Hume Freeway Increased Speed Limit Tarneit SEC

“That this State Council calls upon a newly elected Victorian Liberal‐National Government to start
the process of increasing the speed limit of the M31 Hume Freeway from Wallan to
Albury/Wodonga to 130 km/h; investigate if any sections of the Freeway require upgrading to
support vehicles traveling at the proposed speed; and to conduct discussions with the NSW
Government to encourage them to follow suit and increase the speed limit of the M31 Hume
Highway from Albury/Wodonga to Sydney up to 130 km/h; and thus, providing one universal
speed.”

The M31 Hume Freeway is one of Australia’s major interstate national highways, linking together
Sydney and Melbourne as well as servicing Canberra indirectly. It is considered to be the premier
national highway in Australia; with the entire Victorian section constructed with full grade separation
excluding a few intersections. Between 1962 and 2013, it was progressively upgraded to a limited‐
access dual carriageway rural highway with all towns along the route bypassed for increased safety.
We believe it is time for Australia to move towards higher speeds on our major highways, with better
driver education to accommodate the increased speeds.


35. Electricity Infrastructure ‐ Upgrade Camperdown Branch

policy that requires energy providers and distributors to upgrade infrastructure to ensure that all
electricity generated (coal, gas, hydro, wind, solar), including three phase power can be reticulated
reliably and equitably to all customers at a reasonable cost.”

The infrastructure network reticulating electricity, irrespective of generation origin, to
homes/businesses throughout Victoria, is not keeping pace with technology developments and
population growth. Massive amounts of government expenditure (taxpayers’ hard earned dollars)
going into subsidising renewable energy will be wasted, until a reliable network reticulates the power
requirements of the State. There are businesses that can’t access reliable 3 phase power and operate
using batteries, solar and diesel generators. When they have excess power they can’t feed back into
the outdated network. Renewables are available, but no way to use them, because of
underinvestment in a decent reticulation network.


‐ 22 ‐
36. Great Forest National Park Hotham FEC

“That this State Council rejects the proposal by the Wilderness Society to create a 'Great Forest
National Park' in the Central Highlands to the north‐east of Melbourne and calls upon the Coalition
to lead the case for responsible economic and ecological management in native forests as follows:

* no reduction in the area of State forest in the eastern half of Victoria; and

* no further reduction in the availability of hardwood sawlogs and pulpwood from native forests.”

Most of the Central Highlands forests are already contained in conservation and water catchment
reserves. Creating a 'Great Forest National Park' would provide only marginal biodiversity benefits,
while substantially damaging the region's $537 million hardwood timber industry and increase the
risk of bushfires.
In addition:
* Only 0.05% of native forest is harvested each year on the 6% of native forest available and suitable
for timber production, mostly in eastern Victoria. Australia imports $4 billion of timber products per
year. The native timber industry employs around 21,000 people across the State; and
* The hardwood timber industry requires long‐term security of timber resources from native forests.


37. Service Victoria Bill 2017 Hotham FEC

“That the State Council calls upon the Victorian Parliamentary Party to vote against the Service
Victoria Bill 2017; and if it passes this Parliament for the incoming Guy Coalition Government to not
implement and to repeal this odious piece of legislation.”

The current Parliament is considering this Bill – to create a Victoria Card ID for every citizen which will
in effect be required for all interactions with the State. We rejected such programmes previously –
the Australia Card. The Access Card will treat the citizen as an administrative inconvenience to be
numbered and sorted at the whim of the bureaucracy. We have schemes such as KeyPass to give an
ID for anybody without a Driver’s License or Passport. Why create a vast bureaucracy to track
individual Victorians? The low level of security will make tracking individuals easy for thieves and
fraud

Shadow Minister responsible: Shadow Attorney General, Mr John Pesutto MP.

‐ 23 ‐

38. Helmeted Honeyeater Croydon South Branch

“That this State Council calls on the Victorian Parliamentary Party to commit to adequately fund
ongoing conservation efforts to protect the otherwise critically endangered species of bird known as
the Helmeted Honeyeater (being the official State bird of Victoria).”

The Helmeted Honeyeater was chosen as the bird emblem of Victoria in 1971 whilst Sir Henry Bolte
was Premier of Victoria. This species is critically endangered, with an estimated 130 birds left in the
world as at 2014. Their habitat is limited to the Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve, north‐east of
Melbourne. The Helmeted Honeyeater is vulnerable to habitat disturbance and efforts are being
made to conserve and increase their habitat, as well as reintroduce birds to the area through captive
breeding programs, through organisations including Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeaters, Healesville
Sanctuary and Zoos Victoria.


39. Gender Transitioning Menzies Warrandyte YL

“That this State Council calls on the Victorian Liberal Parliamentary Party to seek to:

(a) Ensure that adequate laws and systems are put in place so that parents and young people are all
given full information about the psychological harms of social, medical and surgical “gender
transitioning”.

(b) Ensure that parents are acknowledged as first and foremost the ones to decide on what
assistance to seek for their child diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

(c) Ensure that parents of children diagnosed with gender dysphoria and adolescents diagnosed
with gender dysphoria are able to freely access the counselling they decide on for their children,
including counselling directed to encouraging them to feel comfortable in their own body and/or to
affirm their biological sexual identity by amending the Health Complaints Act to ensure that health
practitioners can offer counselling out of same sex attraction or gender transitioning to patients
who request it.”

Claims by those supporting or affirming people transitioning gender that:
1. social transitioning;
2. prescribing puberty blockers;
3. cross sex hormones; and/or gender re‐assignment surgery are safe and reversible, are both
false and harmful.

Parents should be the ones to decide what medical treatment is in their child's best interest.

Shadow Minister responsible: Shadow Minister for Families & Children, Ms Georgie Crozier MP.

‐ 24 ‐
40. Puppy Farm Legislation McArthur plus 10 Members

“That this State Council requires the Liberal Parliamentary Party to amend the recently passed
Puppy Farm legislation to remove the limit on the number of breeding females (currently 10).”

That this State Council requires the Liberal Parliamentary Party to amend the recently passed Puppy
Farm legislation to remove the limit on the number of breeding females (currently 10).

Shadow Minister responsible: Shadow Minister for Industry, Mr Ryan Smith MP.

41. Electronic Gaming Machine Licences Daylesford Branch

“That this State Council supports the following amendments to the recent renewal by the Andrew’s
Labor Government of Electronic Gaming Machine (pokies) licences through to 2042.”

1. Lower maximum bets from $5 to $1 by August 2022 (being the commencement
date of the new 20 year licence period).
2. An immediate increase in the minimum closing period for venues, from 4 hours to 10 hours
per day.
3. An immediate ban on cashless gambling.
4. An immediate reduction in the amount of cash that can be withdrawn in licenced venues to
$200 per day.
5. Maintain the 50/50 split in Electronic Gaming Machine numbers between clubs and hotels
within the amending legislation.

Shadow Minister responsible: Shadow Treasurer, the Hon Michael O’Brien MP.

42. Judiciary Inquiry Terang Branch

“That this State Council calls upon the State Parliamentary Party to conduct an inquiry into the
performance of the Victorian Judiciary”.

It is apparent to all Victorians that victims and innocent law abiding individuals are the poor relations
of criminals in this state.

Shadow Minister Responsible: Shadow Attorney‐General, Mr John Pesutto MP.

43. Cobden Airstrip Terang Branch
“That this State Council calls upon the State Parliamentary party to protect valuable, existing
infrastructure in local communities which can be jeopardised by inappropriate development such as
wind farms impinging on airstrips”.

Cobden has an active airstrip which is currently under threat of extinction courtesy of a proposed
wind farm which will jeopardise landings and take offs.

Shadow Minister Responsible: Shadow Minister for Aviation, the Hon Gordon Rich‐Phillips MP
‐ 25 ‐
C. Constitutional Motions – Administrative Committee/
Electorate Conferences/ Branches / Others (Nos 44 -70)
44. Abolition of Area Finance System Administrative
Committee

"That the Area Finance system be abolished and sections 15.1(j), 15.11, 18.1(e), 18.6 and 18.7 of the
Constitution be repealed with 50% of the net balance of the funds to be given to the matching FEC
with the remaining 50% to be split between Electorate SECs which fall wholly or partly within the
boundaries of that FEC, proportionate to each SEC's membership of the FEC with the relevant date
for account balances and membership being 28 April 2018."

The Area Finance system has in recent years not proved an effective means of dealing with the funds
of State and Federal electorates and it is proposed that the system be abolished and the remaining
funds be distributed to the relevant State and Federal electorates.

45. State Finance Committee Administrative
Committee

"That the current wording of sections 18.1(a) and 18.1(b) of the Constitution be repealed and
replaced with the following:

(a) From current Party members although not from the current members of the Administrative
Committee, a Chairman appointed by the Administrative Committee;

(b) The President and immediate past State President if still a Party member.”

Whilst the Administrative Committee has already introduced a large number of new internal controls
following the Damien Mantach scandal this further change was recommended by independent
consultants PPB Advisory to enhance good governance within the Party.

46. Grandfathered Membership Hotham FEC

“That a new clause 3.23 (h) be inserted ‐

In a redistribution any Affected Member who is subject to Grandfathering 23.4 a) ii) and whose
SEC/FEC pair for the purposes of S 3.3 is broken will automatically be subject to the process of S 3.23
(e) (ie they can choose which EC to remain in) and shall be deemed not to have changed SEC or FEC
(whichever is relevant) membership thus keeping continuity of pre selection rights.”

After a re distribution the existing FEC/SEC pair of a member can be broken, this is important for
grandfathered members as their link to an area is kept by the original FEC/SEC pair. The current
arrangements would send members back to their enrolled address or allow membership in the new
seats but without pre selection rights. This motion allows for grandfathered members to choose to
follow either of the original conferences in the FEC/SEC pair and create a new pair. Grandfathering is
very important in many marginal and safe Labor seats, as proven workers stay committed to local
campaigns.
‐ 26 ‐
47. Returning Officers – Internal Elections Surrey Hills Branch

“That the Constitution be amended so that ‐

1. When Returning Officers are required for internal elections, except for elections at State
Council and State Assembly, they are to be appointed by the executive committee of the
body having the election.
ie the executive committee of an electorate conference or region, or the executive
committee of the young liberals, or women’s section, etc.

2. If the relevant executive committee do not appoint a returning officer, the meeting itself
will.

3. State Council or State Assembly will specifically have the State Director (not his nominee) as
the Returning Officer unless overridden by a full meeting of State Council or State Assembly
(respectively).”

This year, for the first time, the Administrative Committee (via the State Director) has appointed the
Returning Officer for every AGM. Meetings should be able to appoint someone they trust to be the
Returning Officer (as has been the case till now).


“That it is proposed to amend subclause 23.4(a)(i)(A) of the Constitution to read:
“if 18 years or older, has been enrolled on the Electoral Roll for that Electorate for at least three
months as at the date of first calling for nominations and remains so enrolled on the date of the
Convention”.

This is an anti‐branch‐stacking integrity measure that applies to membership transfers between
Electorate Conferences. It ensures that members of the Party eligible to attend a preselection
convention in the capacity of a “local member” do have a genuine connection to the local area. The
proposed amendment ensures that “local members” have lived in the electorate for at least three
months (unless covered by the grandfathering provisions) before being entitled to participate in a
preselection convention.


"That this State Council amend the Constitution to ‐

1) Add a clause (C) to 23.4(a)(ii) which says

"C if joined the party after 1 July 2007, has at some point since then been a resident of that
Electorate and enrolled on the Electoral Roll for that Electorate"

2) Add a clause (D) to 23.4(a)(iii) which says

"D if joined the party after 1 July 2007, has at some point since then been a resident of that
‐ 27 ‐
Electorate and enrolled on the Electoral Roll for the Electorate Conference for which the preselection
is being held: "

This is an anti‐branch‐stacking integrity measure. It requires that “local members” participating in a
preselection convention have a genuine connection to the electorate (unless otherwise covered by a
grandfathering provision). To be eligible as a “local member” in a preselection, a Member who joined
the Party on or after 1 July 2007, must have lived in the electorate at some time since becoming a
member, and therefore demonstrating a genuine connection to the electorate. This change does not
affect Members who joined the Party before 1 July 2007, or delegates drawn from State Council in
any preselection.

50. Nomination Forms – Delegates to State Council Officer/ Beaconsfield
Branch

“That this State Council amend the Constitution to include the clause “all nomination forms for
delegates to State Council must be signed by the nominee and witnessed by a member of that FEC
or SEC who is not standing for a position. The Chairman or Secretary of that FEC or SEC must verify
that the witness is genuine”.”

At recent AGMs unsigned nomination forms have been bulk emailed to FEC and SEC secretaries. Some
of the people nominated have never been seen at any FEC or SEC meetings. This means that some
people have been manipulating nominations for their own purposes, instead of members who are
interested in the good of the Liberal Party being selected on their ability and the contributions they
have made to the Liberal Party.

51. Sale of 104 Exhibition Street Surrey Hills Branch

“That the Constitution be amended so that the building at 104 Exhibition Street, Melbourne (104)
cannot be sold by the Party, or any contract entered into that will result in it being sold, without the
approval of a 2/3 majority vote of State Assembly via a secret ballot.”

Members are aghast at the idea that 104 will be sold, when it has been a long‐term secure asset for
the Party, and is generating substantial income.
Members were justifiably concerned when they found out most of the building (including the Dame
Elizabeth Couchman Hall) had been rented out without consultation; the building shouldn't be sold
without support from members. The best way of doing this, and to make sure members know what's
going on and approve, is to make the any decision about the building sale go via State Assembly.

52. Administrative Committee Pre selection Eligibility Schneider plus 10 Members

“That a provision be included in the Constitution as follows:
That no current or previous member of the Administrative Committee shall be eligible for pre‐
selection until after they have not been on the Administrative Committee for five years (to the date
of nomination), except with the approval of a two thirds majority of a vote by the State Assembly by
secret ballot.
This provision will come into force the 1st June 2018, i.e. it will apply to all members who are on the
Administrative Committee from the 1st June 2018 onwards.”

The Administrative Committee is the governing body of the Party, and its decision making needs to be
as impartial and objective as possible. Members of the Committee need to be able to act and vote
‐ 28 ‐
without fear or favour on any and all issues brought before the Committee. One way of ensuring this
likelihood is to remove the possibility of conflict of interest, where the “interest” may be a future
interest, as yet undeclared. Such a provision is also likely to result in the election of more Committee
members who are offering skills based service, and also likely to reduce the occurrence of factional
behaviour on the Committee.

53. Delegate to State Council Officer / Beaconsfield Branch

“That this State Council amend the Constitution to include the clause ”any person nominating for
the position of delegate to State Council must have attended at least 50% of the meetings, over the
last two years of the FEC or SEC that they are nominating to represent.”

Many people nominating for State Council delegate positions have never been seen at meetings of
the FEC or SEC that they wish to represent. When they gather their friends to attend AGMs, people
who have the good of the Liberal Party and have made significant contributions to the Liberal Party
over many years find themselves sidelined by these new members with their own personal agendas.

54. Delegate to State Assembly Officer/Beaconsfield Branch
“That this State Council amend the Constitution to include the clause “any person nominating for
the position of delegate to State Assembly must have attended at least 50% of the meetings of that
FEC over the period of the last two years.”

Being a delegate to State Assembly is a very responsible position and the Party needs to have people
who regularly attend FEC meetings and have made a significant contribution to the Liberal Party, and
who understand how the Liberal Party functions, being elected to this position.

55. SEC Chairmen and REC Membership Essendon SEC

"That this State Council calls upon the Liberal Party of Australia (Victorian Division) to amend the
Constitution to provide for State Electorate Conference Chairmen to be included in the membership
of Regional Electorate Councils as voting members.”

Regional Electorate Councils are comprised of one female and one male delegate from each State
Electorate Conference. Currently, the Constitution provides for SEC Chairmen to attend Regional
Electorate Council meetings, however without voting rights. Since SEC Chairmen are key to the
operation of effective State Electorate Conferences, and in a unique position to contribute to the
workings of the relevant REC, it is incongruous that they are not full members of RECs with voting
rights.

‐ 29 ‐
56. Activity and Tenure Test Westernport Branch

“That the Constitution be altered to require that a member have been a member of the electing
body for twelve months, and have attended at least one previous meeting prior to the Annual
Meeting (or meeting at which office bearers or delegates are to be elected) before being eligible to
nominate for elected office or delegateship representing a Branch, Electorate Conference, State
Assembly or State Council.

Provided that this rule may be relaxed for the first Annual Meeting following a redistribution
affecting that body, or in special cases with the approval of the Administrative Committee."

In similar manner to the requirement (Cl. 23.4) that members must have been members for two years
before being eligible to attend a preselection convention, members should be required to have some
experience and evidence of commitment to a Party body before being eligible to represent that body
and its interests as an elected office bearer or delegate.

This may encourage electorate conferences to hold the required minimum of three meetings between
Annual Meetings, and to keep accurate records of attendance at such meetings ‐ usually requiring the
signature of the member attending.

57. Voting Member – 12 Months Qualification Burwood SEC

“That members must have been financial for at least 12 months prior to a vote in order to qualify as
a voting member of any Branch, Electorate conference, or regional electorate council.”

It is essential that only bona fide members can vote at Party elections or hold office. It is good
governance and standard practice in most organizations to require a waiting period before a person
has the right to vote or hold office.

58. Residence Definition Surrey Hills Branch

“That the Constitution be amended so that ‐

1) the definition of RESIDENCE (Constitution section 2.3) changes so that, independent of whether a
member is or isn't on the Electoral Roll, the address must also be a person’s main residence: i.e.
where they live the majority of the time.

2) With all internal elections of the Party that have residency requirements, members must confirm
the address being used by the Party IS their main residence.

3) None of these amendments will or are intended to affect grandfathered rights.”

There are a number of Party members who use their parents’ house, siblings’ house, holiday house,
etc for their 'enrolled address' ‐ which is used as the 'residence' for Party purposes. The Electoral
Commission doesn't seem to care.
This should not be allowed, e.g. if a member is renting a house in inner Melbourne, boarding the train
every morning at the local station, keeping their car and belongings at that house, they should NOT be
able to claim an address in the 'country' for internal Party purposes!
‐ 30 ‐
59. Member Transfers – FEC / SEC Miftari plus 10 members

“That clause 19.13AA be amended to read:
The number of eligible members of an Electorate Conference for the purpose of Clause 19.13 shall
be the number of persons who are disclosed by the records held by the State Director if he or she is
a:
1. A) financial member that is enrolled in (as recorded by the AEC and VEC) the given
Electorate Conference as at August 31 immediately prior to the Annual Meeting of the
Electorate Conference;
2. B) is deemed to be ‘grandfathered’ members of the Electorate Conference by Section
23.4A(ii).
C) has been a member of an Electorate Conference up to Sunday 30th April”.

Members have raised concerns about member transfers from one FEC/SEC and into another before
the cut‐off date for State Council delegate allocation. This practice encourages factionalism by
inflating membership to alter State Conference delegate allocation. Two problems arise: the first,
when members move back to their home electorates, the impacted Electorate Conference has a
delegation disproportionate to the Electorate Conference’s membership, and, secondly, there are a
number of members in an Electorate Conference that are there for factional purposes. This is
particularly problematic as members should support campaigning and fundraising in an Electorate
Conference, not be used as pawns.

60. Vetting Member Transfers – FEC / SEC Miftari plus 10 Members

“That this State Council enacts the following Constitutional amendments:

3.17

1.That the current sections 3.17B(ii)A 3.17B(ii)B be removed

2.That a new section be added to 3.17B(ii):

"the Member shall become a member of those Electorate Conferences at the date that the
Electorate Conference’s Executive Committee approves the application with a majority vote. "

3. That a new section be added to 3.17B(ii):

"the Member can appeal the decision of an Executive Committee by a two‐third majority vote of
State Assembly to overturn it. "

4. That a new clause be entered in 3.17 reading:

"Except in cases that electorate enrolment has changed, a member may not transfer his or her
membership of a Federal Electorate Conference and/or State Electorate Conference within the first
twelve months of continuous financial membership. "

‐ 31 ‐

Members have raised concerns about the inability for Executive Committees of electorate conference
to fully vet applications to transfer into another electorate conference. Presently, the Committee of
an electorate conference is entitled to make determinations on applications to join the Party, but are
prohibited from deciding applications from members to join the electorate conference that they live
in. There are examples from the last 12 months where members have enrolled in one electorate
conference for the 90‐day probationary period, then transfer into their home electorate conference
once this period has passed. This subverts the important responsibility that electorate conference
executives carry to monitor and uphold membership integrity.

61. Internal Governance Committee Miftari plus 10 Members

“In relation to constitutional vagueness about the role, responsibilities, powers and functions of the
Administrative Committee and its members, this State Council determines that:
a. An Internal Governance Committee is formed with a mandate to investigate the role of the
Administrative Committee in the party.
b. This Committee investigates the limits of the Administrative Committee's power, responsibilities
and functions.
c. This Internal Governance Committee is appointed, comprising of the State Director, State
President, Party's Legal Counsel and 4 delegates elected through State Assembly in accordance with
ordinary State Assembly Standing Orders for elections.
d. This Internal Governance Committee consults the membership over a period of six months on
issues relating to the remit of the Administrative Committee, and develops an options paper on how
the remit of the Administrative Committee should be embedded in the Constitution.
e. This options paper is presented to the membership for consideration and discussion at the next
scheduled meeting of State Council.
f. This Governance Committee develops a Constitutional Proposal to replace Clause 13.4 of the
Constitution that is informed by the consultation process for debate and voting at the next Annual
General Meeting of State Council.”

There are concerns about the Administrative Committee’s role in the broader organisation. That the
Administrative Committee is the primary body responsible for daily oversight of Party affairs is
undisputed. However, to ensure that its business is conducted in the best interests of the Party, its
role and any applicable constraints should be defined in the Constitution. State Council is the supreme
body of the Party. However, recent determinations by the Administrative Committee go against the
spirit of this. Therefore, this breaches the membership's duty to decide how our Party is run. The
Constitution of our Party is by State Council. When it is ignored, the Administrative Committee is
ignoring State Council and the membership.

‐ 32 ‐
62. Dispute Procedures Miftari plus 10 Members

“In relation to the handling and addressing of disputes, this State Council determines:
That the State Director publishes any relevant procedures, standing orders and/or process used to:
A. Receive and acknowledge disputes concerning all Party affairs;
B. Notify impacted parties of the disputes and its nature;
C. Investigate disputes, gather information and determine veracity;
D. Protect the identity and reputation of the relevant parties during investigation;
E. Address disputes, make determinations and resolve them;
F. Escalate disputes if there is a basis to do so, and to whom;
G. Record determinations;
H. Reflect determinations in the Constitution and Standing Orders where relevant; and,
I. Assist the State President, State Director and Administrative Committee in making determinations
on complaints, and what its powers to do so are.”

Trust in the Party’s governance structures, procedures and mechanisms is an important element of
ensuring an engaged, healthy and active membership. Whilst we should all aim to work with each
other in a collaborative matter, the nature of internal contests is such that there will inevitably be
disputes about results, conduct or other matters. Given the fact that the investigation of disputes can
often identify weaknesses in Party structures, it is essential that members are aware of procedures so
they can make use of them where necessary, and also ‐ if necessary ‐ consider their adequacy at
future meetings of State Council.

63. Contact Details – Members Seeking Election Essendon SEC

“That this State Council calls upon the Liberal Party of Australia (Victorian Division) to provide
members seeking election to office bearer positions within their relevant Branch or Conference (SEC,
FEC or Region), access to the names and contact details of the eligible Branch, SEC, FEC, or REC
members, at least 14 days prior to the election meeting, and on request, thus enabling contact to be
made with the same.”

Currently, only pre‐existing Branch, SEC, FEC and REC office bearers have access to the names and
contact details of eligible members of the relevant "group" and are therefore able to canvas for votes
at election time. This arrangement is inequitable and can result in the pre‐existing office bearers
being re‐elected year after year, while potential "challengers" are discouraged and severely
disadvantaged.

‐ 33 ‐
64. REC Office Bearers Essendon SEC

"That this State Council calls upon the Liberal Party of Australia (Victorian Division) to alter the
Constitution to provide that the office bearers (Chairman, Vice Chairman Female, Vice Chairman
Male, Secretary and Treasurer) of Regional Electorate Councils be elected from the delegates to the
Regional Electorate Council exclusively.”

The Constitution provides for Regional Electorate Councils to be comprised of one male and one
female delegate from each SEC. Currently the Constitution is silent on the membership status of
elected office bearers of RECs, thus allowing for office bearers to be elected from outside the elected
REC membership. For effective operation of RECs, all office bearers should be elected from the
delegates to the REC, thus ensuring that all members of the REC are accountable to their respective
SECs.

65. Time Period for Approving Membership Applications Watson plus 10 Members

"That the Party improve new member engagement by approving membership applications within
45 days, allowing them to vote or hold any office at any Branch, SEC or FEC 45 days after applying
for Party membership.”

Organisations need new members. Without new members an organisation dies. A healthy and
robust organisation will focus its culture on finding, engaging and retaining new members. The
opportunity for membership engagement has historically been restricted for 90 days to allow the
applicant details to be verified. This restrictive practice was established prior to the digital age in
which we now live. Applicant details can now be rigorously checked very quickly, and the 90 day
waiting period is no longer necessary. This change will improve the timeliness of meaningful new
member engagement within the Party.

‐ 34 ‐
66. Electorate Conference Transfers Hotham FEC

"That this State Council removes the Constitutional amendment from April 1/2 2017 of the
Constitution clause 3.17 (b) (ii) A and B referring to whether members reside or not in the electorate
they are transferring to. And the Constitution reverts back to the original clause with the addition of
(d) as described‐
APPLICATION TO JOIN OR TRANSFER TO ANOTHER ELECTORATE CONFERENCE
(a) If a Member wishes to transfer to another Federal Electorate Conference and/or State Electorate
Conference, or if a Member at Large wishes to join a Federal Electorate Conference and State
Electorate Conference, the Member must lodge with the State Director on a form prescribed by the
Administrative Committee an application to transfer to, or to join, as the case may be, the Federal
Electorate Conference and/or State Electorate Conference.
(b) Where the State Director receives an application under subclause (a) above:
(i) he or she shall notify the Electorate Conferences which the Member wishes to transfer to or join
as soon as practicable and in any event within seven (7) days; and
(ii) the Member shall become a member of those Electorate Conferences as at the date on which the
State Director receives the application.
(c) A Member may not transfer his or her membership of a Federal Electorate Conference and/or
State Electorate Conference more than once in any 12‐month period unless the Member resides in
the Federal and/or State Electorate Conference to which he or she wishes to transfer.
(d) Upon an Electorate conference receiving a notification of transfer as proscribed from the State
Director they may by a majority vote of their Executive Committee refer the application to the
Administrative Committee within 90 days to determine whether to approve or reject the application
based on reasons provided by the Executive Committee.”

The Constitutional alteration in April 2017 is vague without definable outcomes. This vaguely written
clause allows preferential treatment by an electorate picking and choosing who they allow to transfer
in. A party member should not be restricted within their party membership only being aligned to
where they live. There was no resolution if one Electorate Executive accepted a transfer and the other
Executive Committee rejected a transfer, which has occurred. This is an unfair burden on party
members.

‐ 35 ‐
67. One Applicant Process Essendon SEC

“That this State Council calls upon the Liberal Party of Australia (Victorian Division) to reinstate the
former One Applicant Procedure. (Former Clause 21.10).”

The most important benefit of membership of the Liberal Party is the opportunity to participate in
pre‐selection of Liberal members of parliament. Until recently, where there was only one applicant
for pre‐selection, eligible members of the SEC, FEC or Region were provided with the name of the
applicant, together with his/her application, and afforded the opportunity to consider the application,
and could request a pre‐selection convention. If more than one fifth of eligible members requested a
pre‐selection convention, one would be held. Under the current arrangements, a person may be pre‐
selected without the knowledge of members, and without their endorsement.

68. Mailed Postal Ballots for State Council Delegates Eildon SEC

“That this State Council amend the Party's Constitution to allow State Council delegates to provide
their voting directions for the election of office bearers directly to the Manager of State Council in
the form of a mailed and sealed ballot paper. The mailed voting directions of each State Council
delegate must remained sealed until the commencement of the ballot count. Scrutineers should
witness the opening of these ballots and the recording of the votes. State Council delegates should
be responsible for confirmation of receipt of the mailed ballot paper by the Manager of State
Council.”

Given the concerns that have been expressed about the use of proxies, State Council delegates should
be provided with the opportunity to vote directly via a sealed mailed ballot as occurs with company
AGMs. This change would ensure that State Council delegates, who cannot attend State Council, are
still able to ensure that their voting preferences are exercised in the office bearers' elections. It is
essential that these ballots remain sealed until the commencement of the ballot counts at State
Council and that scrutineers are appointed to ensure that the ballots have remained sealed.

69. Time Restrictions – FEC / SEC Ballot Papers Return Eildon SEC

“That this State Council amend the Party's Constitution to require that the Returning Officer for FEC
and SEC AGMs be required to deliver or mail by registered post the sealed ballot envelope to 104
within 72 hours of the AGM being held.”

There needs to be a protocol put into place to ensure that the Returning Officer for FEC and
SEC AGMs return the sealed ballot envelopes within a limited time of the holding of an AGM. Not
only will this ensure delays do not occur in this process, but FEC and SEC's can be confident that
unnecessary delays do not occur in the count taking place. Furthermore, scrutineers will then have
more confidence that they will not be excluded from performing their role.

‐ 36 ‐
70. Annual Meetings – Every Second Year Administrative Committee

“That sections 7.1 and 19.6 of the Constitution be amended so that following the Annual Meetings
held in October, November and December 2018 or any other date authorised under this
Constitution, Annual Meetings be held every second year thereafter.”

This motion changes Annual Meetings of Branches and Electorates so that they are held every two
years from the end of this year onwards rather than annually. This saves the Party from holding more
than 150 meetings per year and will also save an enormous amount of time of the Secretariat staff in
processing annual returns and counting State Council ballots. However State Council, the Women’s
Council, and the Young Liberals will still have annual AGMs.
‐ 37 ‐
D. Organisational Motions (Nos 71 -79)
71. Membership Fee Price Increase Administrative Committee

“That the membership fee structure and level of membership fees for the 2019/20 year remain the
same as that prevailing in 2018/19.”

The Administrative Committee is recommending no change to the current fee structure and level of
fees.

72. Federal Pre selections Surrey Hills Branch

“This State Council directs that:

a) preselections for all Victorian Federal House of Representatives seats that currently have a
sitting Liberal Party member, and for all Victorian Senate seats, be opened on 7 May 2018,
with nominations closing on 14 May 2018;

b) conventions must be held for any seats in which there is more than one candidate as
expeditiously as possible, but in any event by no later than 30 June 2018, with pre‐selected
members to be endorsed by the Administrative Committee promptly thereafter;

c) all remaining Federal seats should be opened as soon as possible after 30 June 2018 (or
earlier if requested by the electoral conference, or by a decision of the Administrative
Committee), allowing the Party to be ready for an early election if required, and giving
certainty to candidates and conferences; and

For the avoidance of any doubt, as the governing body of this Party, this State Council is directing
the Administrative Committee to comply with this motion.”

The next normal Federal Election must be between 4 August 2018 and 18 May 2019. The ALP are
doing theirs, yet we haven't started! We risk being caught unprepared. We risk leaving this so late
that candidates are instead preselected by the Administrative Committee. The AEC redistribution
should see marginal change only, and even then, our Party Constitution allows for major boundary
change to be addressed later, if required, and by exception. It would be political malpractice to delay
Federal pre selections further.
73. Membership Study Rye Branch

“That this State Council calls for a study to be undertaken of the membership of the Victorian
Division of the Liberal Party to determine the number of ordinary members, Party employees,
“staffers” and MPs with the view to presenting the findings to State Council 166.”

Membership of the Victorian Division of the Liberal Party has reduced exponentially over time. The
reduction in membership has occurred in the ordinary (volunteer) membership category, while the
“staffers” (employed by the State and Federal parliaments) component has remained constant, or
probably increased. When added together, the “staffer”, Party employee and the MP components
now form a much larger proportion of the membership than was previously the case. This has
considerable implications for decision making within the Party.
‐ 38 ‐
74. Membership Investigation Officer/Beaconsfield Branch

“That an investigation be conducted into “Branch Stacking” at FEC and SEC AGMs by an
independent/reputable investigator such as was used in the Damien Mantach investigation; where
members have the opportunity to openly discuss their concerns. The findings of the report are to be
made available to all financial members of the Victorian Liberal Party.”

Members from electorates across the State are raising concerns about the mass signing of new
members. It has been widely reported in the press of a well‐orchestrated campaign to sign up special
interest groups. The attendance at 2017 AGMs was hijacked by new members who have never been
seen before, who voted en masse to take over electorate and delegate positions, removing members
who have served the Liberal Party for decades. The nomination forms for State Council delegate
positions were lodged en masse by email. Why were these forms not signed and lodged by the
members themselves?

75. PPB Advisory Report Surrey Hills Branch

“The PPB Advisory Report (PPB Report) was presented to the Party in November 2016.
This State Council determines that:
a) The PPB report is made available for inspection by any member.
b) The President provides a full response to this Report, and a timeline for implementation, to
State Assembly within 3 months of this State Council.
c) That PPB is engaged to review the state of the implementation (all of it) and to report back to
State Assembly, before the end of 2018.”

The PPB Report was presented to the Party almost a year and a half ago.
We have to do things better, and all of its key recommendations should be implemented, with
progress on this reported back to members.

76. Party’s Governance Report Hannan plus 10 Members

“That the Constitutional Committee develop a package of motions within 3 months to outline all
outstanding constitutional changes required to implement ALL recommendations from the Party's
Governance Report from November 2016 and that these reforms be presented to the next Annual
General Meeting of State Council.”

The Party received a report to strengthen governance in November 2016. This report made
recommendations to improve basic governance and to enact constitutional reforms which included
clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the President, establishing an Independent Chair of the
State Finance Committee (as a skills based appointment with candidates ideally having a strong
audit/accounting background) and expanding the State Finance Committee's ambit to include audit
and risk/insurance.

‐ 39 ‐
77. Administrative Committee Glenhuntly Branch

“That this State Council calls on those members of the Liberal Party of Australia (Victorian Division)
who were serving on the Administrative Committee during the period in which the former State
Director Damien Mantach was defrauding Party funds, demonstrate to the membership the
responsibility required of the governing body of the Party, by standing aside from all elected
positions in the Party for a period of one year.”

This action will affirm to the membership that those members recognise their collective oversight
failed, and in recognising this fault they set an example of proper conduct for future members of the
Governing body of the Party. The Administrative Committee is directly empowered by the
membership to responsibly govern the Party on their behalf. Whether by error or oversight the Party
was defrauded. It was this Committee that did not discover, recognise or institute suitable systems to
prevent the failure. We think that standing aside for one year is suitable to recognise collective
responsibility and set an example.

78. Pre selection Accreditation Rye Branch

“That this State Council calls for the Liberal Party (Victorian Division) to form an expert working
party to investigate and report to State Council 166 ‐ April 2019, on a criteria‐based accreditation
process for members seeking pre‐selection as Liberal candidates for election to parliament.”

The Liberal Party exists to form government at the state and federal level and return good Liberal
governments. To be successful, the Party must pre‐select excellent candidates who will make
outstanding members of parliament. The current pre‐selection process is rudimentary and no longer
fit for purpose. A criteria‐based accreditation process would identify suitable candidates for
subsequent pre‐selection while at the same time preparing them thoroughly for work as a Liberal
candidate for election, and in turn, a Liberal member of parliament.

79. Administrative Committee Rye Branch

“That this State Council determines that members who served on the Administrative Committee
during the period during which the former State Director Damien Mantach defrauded the Party of
$1.55 million (2010‐14) be ineligible for election to the Administrative Committee.”

Members of the Administrative Committee during the Mantach period failed in their duty to provide
proper oversight of the Party’s financial management, thus allowing the theft of $1.55 million in Party
funds to go unnoticed for four years. Following the Mantach fraud members of the Administrative
Committee have not acknowledged that they failed in their fiduciary duties or accepted any
responsibility for the loss. Given the seriousness of the Mantach fraud and the consequent extensive,
deleterious and continuing fallout for the Party, members of the Administrative Committee from that
period should be ruled ineligible to serve in such capacity.

‐ 40 ‐
Standing Committee Reports
Constitutional Standing Committee
(John O’Connell, Chairman)

The Constitutional Committee advises the Administrative Committee and the State Director on the
proper interpretation of the Party's Constitution. This past year has been an interesting and busy one
for the Constitutional Committee, as it has worked to address a number of new challenges.

Constitutional amendments

A large number of constitutional amendments were approved by State Council in 2017. The
Constitutional Committee has advised the Administrative Committee and the State Director on how
these amendments should be reflected in the Constitution, and implemented in practice. Some of these
amendments were prepared hurriedly, and issues of interpretation have arisen around how they
interact with other provisions in the Constitution. As Party members become more familiar with these
amendments – and in particular with their more technical aspects – these issues should largely resolve
themselves.

Members looking to amend the Constitution in the future are strongly encouraged to engage with the
Constitutional Committee early in the process, so that we can do our part to help avoid these types of
issues. It is in the interests of all members to ensure that if an amendment is adopted, its effect is clear
and it can be implemented without unnecessary disruption or confusion.

One amendment to the Constitution of particular note concerns members who wish to transfer their
membership to Electorate Conferences of electorates in which they are not resident. These members
can find themselves in a state of limbo if their applications are not dealt with by the relevant Electorate
Conference executive committees. As a consequence, it is now more important than ever that
executive committees are functional and meet regularly to deal with membership applications and
other pressing business. It is also crucial that meetings are held with particular care and attention to
procedural requirements, such as notice, quorum, and minutes. In the past, I know that many executive
committees have found it convenient to operate in a fluid and largely informal manner. The most
recent round of constitutional amendments makes this approach to meetings untenable for many
electorates.

Membership participation

We have also seen an upsurge in participation at the Annual Meetings of Electorate Conferences, with
an increasing number of members hoping to serve the Party as delegates to State Council and in other
capacities. This encouraging trend has led, in some instances, to procedural disputes around the calling
and conduct of these meetings (in particular, disputes concerning the validity and sufficiency of meeting
notices).

I would like to encourage all members to pay close attention to the constitutional requirements
concerning notices and other procedural matters when calling and conducting meetings and elections.
The Party is best served when the integrity of its meetings and elections are beyond question.

‐ 41 ‐
New members

The pace of recruitment of new members into the Division has also been one of the great success
stories of the past few years – in no small part the fruits of the indefatigable Membership and Branch
Development Committee. The recruitment of new talent into the Party is essential to the Party's future
success.

Unfortunately, the Constitutional Committee has had to address a number of disputes over new
member applications. Electorate Conference executive committees have a duty to ensure that new
members share our Party's values, but it is also in the interests of the Party for executive committees to
be open and accepting of new members where those members are genuinely committed to the Party's
vision for the future. Rejecting genuine applicants as a way of protecting entrenched interests must be
criticised as an abuse of the discretions granted under the Constitution, even as accepting new
members who are hostile to our Party's values must be criticised as a dereliction of duty. Electorate
Conference executive committees must take particular care to avoid both traps, and members of
Electorate Conferences should not shy away from holding their executive committees accountable if
they don't.

Conclusion

I would like to thank all members of the Committee for their service over the past year, including Kate
Ashmor, Robert Cameron, Robert Clark MP, Eddy Gisonda, Grant Hutchinson, Tamsin Lawrence, Ian
Pugh, Ian Quick, Senator Scott Ryan, Naomi Schmitz, and Daryl Williams QC.

‐ 42 ‐
Communities and Engagement Standing Committee
(Rampal Muthyala, co‐ Chairman)

As co‐Chair of the Communities Engagement Committee, the following activities were organised in
2017.

A community engagement meeting and lunch was held at Geelong on Saturday, 25th March 2017. Along
with Mr Marcus Bastiaan, Administrative Committee member, and Mr Matthew Verschuur, Chair of
Geelong SEC, around 30 members attended this event. We had a very good discussion about overseas
students and skilled migration etc. Around 5 new members joined the Party. I have organised lunch for
everyone who attended this event.

A community engagement event and a membership drive were held on Saturday, 3rd June 2017 in
Cranbourne at 7:00 PM. Mr Michael Kroger, Party President, Mrs Inga Peulich MP, Shadow Minister for
Multicultural Affairs, Mr Marcus Bastiaan, Administrative Committee member, Mrs Karina Okotel, Vice
President Liberal Party of Australia, and Mr George Hua, co‐Chair of Communities and Engagement
Committee were in attendance.

Around 50 members attended this event from different ethnic backgrounds such as Indian, Sri Lankan
and Chinese. Approximately 10 new members joined the Party. I also organised dinner for everyone
who attended this event.

I also invited Liberal Party MPs Hon Alan Tudge MP, Mrs Inga Peulich MP,
Mr Michael Gidley MP, Mr Neil Angus MP, and Mr Murray Thompson MP; along with senior Party office
bearers Mr Michael Kroger, Mrs Karina Okotel, Mr Marcus Bastiaan, Mrs Stephanie Bastiaan, Mr Paul
Mitchell and many more members to multicultural events and to meet and greet Indian politicians and
religious leaders who were visiting Australia.

I have also invited the above MPs and our Party members to various business activities here in Victoria.
Overall around 20 activities were organised during this year. All these activities were covered in local
multicultural newspapers and TV channels here in Victoria as well as in India.

With the kind support of our MPs I have organised many Parliamentary tours for various dignitaries who
were visiting from India. I am trying my level best to connect multicultural communities with our great
Liberal Party wherever possible.

‐ 43 ‐
Rural and Regional Standing Committee
(Bev McArthur, Chairman)

The Committee has met regularly over the past twelve months and I place on record my sincere
appreciation to Jennifer Lowe who as acted as honorary secretary, minute taker and communications
officer. Her exemplary competence and efficiency has enabled the R&R Committee to flourish.

I must also note the Committee’s gratitude to Stewart McArthur AM for so ably Chairing the meetings in
Melbourne and keeping all of us in line if and when long windedness became an issue!

Committee Goals:
To assist the Liberal Party in policy development particularly relating to rural and regional issues.
To influence and change policy critical to rural constituents, like lifting the ban on onshore conventional
gas exploration.
To advise Liberal MPs and the Party of the issues, regularly re‐prioritised, that will likely impact on the
2018 State election.
To engage with key decision‐makers in areas of interest to Rural & Regional Victoria.
To facilitate debate around key policy issues.
To take the Party to the People through Rural ‘Listening’ Roadshows.

In summary, we have conducted:
8 Meetings of the Rural & Regional Standing Committee for 2017
1 Youth Rural & Regional Forum:
1 Energy Policy Forum – State Assembly
3 Rural & Regional Roadshows
1 State Council Panel Session—Warragul

The Committee has led the charge on the Energy debate from a very early stage.

We successfully moved two resolutions at Federal Council on:

1. ‘Lifting the Conventional Onshore Gas Moratorium while providing Royalties for Landowners’
and
2. ‘Demanding State Governments supply a mandated amount of base load power per capita, per
megawatt, technology agnostic but on a level playing field’.

We also worked closely with Shadow Minister Southwick and are very pleased that the Coalition’s policy
for the 2018 State Election will involve lifting the moratorium on conventional onshore gas exploration
while providing royalties for landowners and a landholder veto clause.

3 Feb 2017 Meeting of Rural & Regional Standing Committee for 2017
Guest Speaker: Robert Annells – former MD Lakes Oil ‐ need for natural gas in Victoria

3 March 2017 Meeting of Rural & Regional Standing Committee for 2017 – No guest

7 April 2017 Meeting of Rural & Regional Standing Committee for 2017
Guest Speaker: Mary Aldred—Energy Policy in Victoria

5 May 2017 Meeting of Rural & Regional Standing Committee for 2017
Guest Speakers:
Simon Ramsay MLC and Richard Riordan MP: Reported on State budget and implications for rural
Victoria.

‐ 44 ‐
26 May 2017 Youth Rural & Regional Forum:
Committee member Camillus O’Kane convened a Youth Rural & Regional Forum to coincide with the
May State Assembly focusing on rural youth related issues
Guest Speakers:
Mr Samuel Marwood: Co‐Founder & Managing Director of Cultivate Farms and Tony Nicholson
Executive Director of the Brotherhood of St Laurence

26 May 2017 Energy Policy Forum – State Assembly
Guest Speakers:
Josh Frydenberg MP – Minister for the Environment and Energy
David Southwick MP – Victorian Shadow Minister for Energy
Mr Patrick Gibbons – Director of Energy, Climate Change and Environment of the Minerals Council of
Australia
Michael Pointer—Rural & Regional Committee member

30 June 2017 Meeting of Rural & Regional Standing Committee for 2017 – No guest

15 July 2017 Rural & Regional Roadshow in Warrnambool
Convenor: Jennifer Lowe – Warrnambool Branch Secretary
Guest facilitator: Nick Cater, Executive Director from the Menzies Research Centre
Attendance: 68

25 August 2017 Meeting of Rural & Regional Standing Committee for 2017
Guest Speakers: Oonagh Kilpatrick ‐ Dairy Farmer – Koroit, Policy Councillor United Dairy Farmers
Victoria and Bruce Knowles ‐ Dairy Farmer Tyrendarra, Vice President Wannon Branch UDV
Issue: Need for Three Phase Power in rural Victoria.

16 September 2017 Rural & Regional Roadshow in Benalla
Convenor: John Lithgow ‐ Northern REC Chair
In attendance: Wendy Lovell MP
Attendance: 40

13 October 2017 Meeting of Rural & Regional Standing Committee for 2017
Guest Speakers: Matt and Kirstin Hams (Banksia Farms), Shelley Freeman (Freeman Consulting),
Dr Paul Martin (President Vic Div Australian Veterinary Association), Susan Chandler (CEO Australian Vet
Assoc) and John Grima (Australian Pet Industry Association) by conference call
Issue: Legislative Changes to Puppy Farm Industry

26 November 2017 ‐ Rural & Regional Roadshow in Horsham
Convenors: Derek Bowman & John Bade – Mallee FEC Secretary & Chair
In attendance: State President, Michael Kroger & Simon Ramsay MP
Attendance: 30

1 December 2017 Meeting of Rural & Regional Standing Committee for 2017
Guest Speaker: The Hon. Peter Walsh MP
Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Leader of The Nationals, Deputy Leader of the Coalition,
Shadow Minister for Decentralisation
The Shadow Minister provided a written draft policy document and welcomed committee discussion on
the policy direction of the Coalition.

18 & 19 November Warragul State Council R&R forum
Convenor: Bev McArthur
‐ 45 ‐
Guest Panellists: Matt Hams (Banksia Farms), Bruce Knowles (Dairy Farmer & Fonterra Board Member),
Peter Small (Hamilton beef & sheep producer)
Issues: Crippling Labor government legislation designed to destroy small businesses like Banksia Farms;
enabling infrastructure especially Three Phase Power; Grower levies backed by Australian taxpayers.

Our Rural & Regional meetings have been open to any interested Party member, while our Roadshows
have been specifically designed to reach out to non‐Party members. Rural & Regional Ctee meetings
regularly have 20 in attendance and I am especially grateful for the regular participation of Michael
Pointer, Don Lawson, Doug Killeen, Norma Wells, Bruce Knowles, Cr Ian Smith, Donna Petrovich, Kyle
Wight‐man, Cam O’Kane, Greg Mirabella, Robyne Head, Simon Ramsay MP, Richard Riordan MP, Wendy
Lovell MP and on occasions, Senator James Paterson, Roma Britnall MP, Serge Petrovich, Fiona Oglivy‐
O’Donnell, State President Michael Kroger, Duncan McDonell, Robert Friday, Stephanie Ross, Mary
Aldred, Ian Quick, Adam Kempton, Dr Katie Allen, John Lithgow, Deb Keillor, Keith Maggs, Fred
Ackerman, Stephen Brooks, Aaron Lane, Anna Dominguez Smith, Ian Pugh, Deborah Cole, and Diana
Plim.

‐ 46 ‐
Training Standing Committee
(Marcus Bastiaan and Fred Ackerman, co‐Chairmen)

During 2017 the Training Standing Committee focussed on the following:
 Future Leaders Program
 Web Warriors
 People’s Parliament
 Training Programs for Members

Future Leaders, led by Andrew Asten, continues to be a flagship program for the Party, supported by the
Future Leaders Program team. This year’s intake comprised 56 members with 37 participants graduating
from the Program. The age range of the participants was 18 to 50 and there were 36 males and 20
females.

The outcomes of the Program are particularly strong with several participants applying for pre‐selection
for State seats, and 3 being successful in their quest for pre‐selection in key target seats. We wish them
all well at this year’s State election!

The Program was conducted over 7 sessions and included training in modern campaigning strategy and
practice, becoming a high‐performing candidate, Liberal values and Party structures, leadership
pathways in politics, and policy development. The participants also campaigned on the ground in
Deakin.

The 2017 Future Leaders Program culminated with an awards presentation ceremony at Parliament
House, where the Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Party, the Hon Matthew Guy MP,
together with the State President, Mr Michael Kroger, presented the graduation certificates.

Applications have opened for the 2018 Future Leaders Program, the course for which includes: How to
have an impact within the Party; Party values and principles; the plan to win Victoria; campaigning in a
marginal seat; policy development and leadership opportunities and pathways.

Web Warriors continues to be an effective and popular platform for members to engage, share
campaigning ideas, activities and events.

People’s Parliament, established as a dedicated Facebook page for policy ideas, discussion and debate,
continues to be valued by members who have an interest in policy.

Thanks are extended to Jan Millard and team for managing Web Warriors and the People’s Parliament;
a skilled and time consuming role.

The Training Standing Committee has been working on several training initiatives during 2017,
including: Training for Party Office Bearers; Scrutineer Training and Pre‐selection Delegate Training.

Thanks are extended to the following members of the Training Standing Committee for their work
during 2017: Andrew Asten, Paul Bender, Vikki Fitzgerald, Christine Grogan, John Jennison, Susan
Jennison, Don Jewell, Jan Millard, Jennifer O’Brien, Aravind Putta and Norma Wells. Thanks are also
extended to Secretariat staff including Simon Frost, Nick Demiris and Mile Kotoski for their support and
assistance.

‐ 47 ‐
State Seats Standing Committee
(Georgina Downer, Chairman)

2017 was an extremely productive and busy year for the States Seats Committee, with State pre‐
selections and campaigning the major focus in preparation for the State Election on 24 November 2018.

In 2017‐18, the State Seats Committee supported SECs to identify quality, capable candidates for target
seats. Taking on board the advice from the Kemp Review of the 2014 State Election to hold target seat
preselection earlier, 104 held 25 Legislative Assembly pre‐selections which was a phenomenal effort.

These included Albert Park (Andrew Bond), Bentleigh (Asher Judah), Carrum (Donna Bauer), Cranbourne
(Ann‐Marie Hermans), Eltham (Nick McGowan), Essendon (Gino Potenza), Evelyn (Bridget Vallence),
Frankston (Michael Lamb), Ivanhoe (Monica Clark), Macedon (Amanda Millar), Melton (Ryan Farrow),
Monbulk (John Schurink), Mordialloc (Geoff Gledhill), Morwell (Dale Harriman), Mulgrave (Maree
Davenport), Narre Warren North (Vikki Fitzgerald), Narre Warren South (Susan Serey), Oakleigh
(Andrew Edmonds), Prahran (Katie Allen), Shepparton (Cheryl Hammer), Sunbury (Cassandra Marr),
Sandringham (Brad Rowswell), and Tarneit (Glenn Goodfellow).

The remaining Assembly pre‐selections will take place by the middle of 2018, followed by the remaining
Legislative Council pre‐selections (some of which are dependent on the finalisation of the Coalition
Agreement).

Over the year, the State Seats Committee has been in close contact with SEC Chairs, candidates and
their campaign teams to provide guidance and support, where necessary, for their campaign activities.
The focus has been on data collection, phone canvassing and door knocking.

A big change from the 2014 election campaign has been the introduction of the data analytics software,
I360. For more information on what i360 is please go to http://www.i‐360.com/about/. 104 has run
several i360 training workshops for Party members, both metro and regional. The feedback is that the
software is easy to use and incredibly helpful for phone canvassing. Some glitches have been identified,
especially for regional Victoria, and these are being addressed.

At the beginning of 2017, the State Seats Committee agreed to establish a State Campaign Committee
to replace the Fundraising Committee, the Parliamentary State Seats Committee and the Campaign
Committee. The State Campaign Committee is comprised of Matthew Guy, Michael Kroger, Ryan Smith,
Nick Demiris and Scott Pearce. This Committee oversees the State campaign and ensures that State MPs
are meeting their Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including effective use of i360 and fundraising
targets. MP’s KPIs are displayed at the weekly Party room meeting. The State Seats Committee Chair
receives these KPIs and results are fed into work done with the Liberal held SECs, particularly those with
margins below 5 per cent.

I would like to thank Committee Members Marcia Coleman, Jean Hawkins, Geoff Leigh, David Nolan,
Nick Thorpe, and Norma Wells for their dedication and hard work this year. I’d also like to thank the
tireless efforts of 104 staff, in particular Nick Demiris, Rochelle Ratnam, and Sonya Kiker, in assisting the
Committee with its activities.

Finally, I’d like to thank our Party members who work so hard in our SECs towards the common goal of
winning the 2018 election. It is the grass root members who make the Party as strong and successful as
it is.

‐ 48 ‐
Federal Redistribution Committee
(Bev McArthur and Karina Okotel, co Chairmen)

This Special Purpose Committee was established by the Administrative Committee to oversee the
management of the Victorian Division’s participation in the Federal Redistribution.

All Federal MPs and Senators were invited to be members. Other Party members with specialist
experience were also appointed; these included: Richard Allsop, Andrew McCallum, Ian Quick, Michael
Ronaldson and Tim Warner. We sincerely thank all Members, Senators and appointed members for
their patience and valuable contributions.

Adam Wojtonis from the State Secretariat provided the research expertise for the production of our
submissions to the AEC. The Hon Dan Tehan MP is the Federal Parliamentary Liaison Representative and
we are especially grateful for his diligence in support of the Committee and our work.

The Committee prepared a detailed and comprehensive submission to the AEC in November 2017 and
we ensured all marginal Federal electorates had their voting margins improved from the last election.
We were very grateful for the generosity of Members in safe or safer seats for relinquishing some of
their margin to those less well off. Adam Wojtonis did an outstanding job in making sure all the
numbers added up, the boundaries reflected local government areas, road and river delineations and
generally useful communities of interest. Adam also ensured we allowed for a new seat and our
arguments were all logical and easily defended.

The Victorian Division has also endorsed recommendations for a seat to be re‐named Monash and a
new seat to be called Fraser.

Submissions were due on 2 November 2017and comments on other submissions were provided by 24
November 2017. The AEC will hand down their draft boundaries in April with final boundaries in July.
Once the draft boundaries are available, our Committee will make further comment.

It should be pointed out that our responsibility is to provide the best possible outcome for all our seats,
while at the same time providing a logical and well‐argued case for our submission. Turning marginal
seats into safe seats is the responsibility of the Parliamentary Party and its leadership.

We would like to record our profound gratitude to Adam Wojtonis, the Secretariat staff who assisted
him and State Director, Nick Demiris who has overseen the project thus far. There is obviously still
more to be done once we see the April AEC boundaries.

‐ 49 ‐
Federal Seats Standing Committee
(Greg Hannan, Chairman)
The Committee Objectives for the year were to recommend an orderly preselection schedule for
upcoming Federal election and also had scope to promote and showcase campaign innovation from
around the Division.

Late in 2016, following the Federal citizenship issues, the Committee presented a paper to the
Administrative Committee on the possible dates for the next Federal election. This paper was prepared
to inform planning within the Victorian Division of the Liberal Party of Australia for the next Federal
election.

The last possible date for the next election is within 68 days from the expiry of the House of
Representatives. Parliament first met on 30 August 2016 and is due to expire on 29 August 2019. The
next election for the House of Representatives must, therefore, be held by 2 November 2019, the last
Saturday within the 68 day period. However, an election may be held at any time before that date.
House of Representatives and half‐Senate elections are usually held simultaneously, and the earliest
date for such an election would be Saturday 4 August 2018 or as late as 18 May 2019.

In relation to recommending a preselection schedule, the Committee has considered that the draft final
boundaries from the Victorian redistribution would be highly likely to represent the final boundaries.
Any radical changes to seat boundaries would need to be factored into the final timetable, but this will
not become clear until the release of the draft final boundaries sometime in April 2018. The extra seat
for Victoria may create new opportunities (by making a Labor seat marginal) and is likely to be in the
rapidly growing area of Melbourne’s north/west.

The Committee is awaiting the release of the draft electoral boundaries report before recommending a
schedule of preselections to the Administrative Committee which would provide for sitting seats to be
opened, followed by Melbourne Ports and other targets seats to allow for any conventions to be held
outside of the intense build up to the State Election in November. Any timetable would also need to
consider impact of the Senate Preselection. Preselections for Labor held seats could be conducted from
December 2018. The Committee had previously considered the potential to conduct preselections
earlier in 2018. The Committee is also monitoring Labor who have already endorsed candidates in key
marginal seats.

The Committee met on 4 October 17, 17 October 17, 21 November 17, 12 December 17, 30 January and
13 February 18. Meetings were conducted by teleconference and also in person in the Deakin campaign
rooms and the office of David Van in Melbourne Ports. The next meeting will be upon release of the
draft electoral boundaries and the Committee has recently discussed holding a Campaign Innovation
Forum to highlight new approaches to campaigning that are being used or should be considered to take
the Party forward.

I would like to thank Kyle Hoppitt, Noel Pink, Sandra Mercer‐Moore, Andrew McCallum, Peter Rawlings,
David Van, Susan Jennison and Michael Pountney for their support and contributions to the work of the
Federal Seats Committee this year.

‐ 50 ‐
Membership Development Standing Committee
(Karina Okotel, Chairman)

First and foremost, I would like to thank all members of the Membership Development Standing
Committee for their commitment and contributions throughout this year. To Stephanie Bastiaan, Holly
Byrne, Cameron Manassa, Jenny Matic, Fiona Nicholson Stocker, Kelly O’Kane, Ivan Stratov, Cynthia
Watson and our parliamentary representative, Graham Watt MP, thank you for all of your work and
support!

With what began as an ambitious list of goals for the year coming out of our planning day, I am very
pleased that through the steadfast advocacy of our Committee members, we have made several
improvements and progress towards refining our membership systems and supports.

Our achievements this year have included:
• Simplifying our membership application form and making our data fields more meaningful
• Encouraging sitting members to focus on membership growth in their electorates
• Modernising the Secretariat’s membership database to increase efficiency
• Assisting with the membership renewal program by contacting membership who had not renewed
and improving our membership renewal pathways
• Encouraging members under 31 years to automatically opt‐in to the Young Liberals to help keep new
younger members engaged in the Party
• Re‐introducing awards to celebrate the long term commitment of members
• Advocating for the establishment of a body within the Party to help mediate disagreements between
individual Party members to try to improve Party relationships
• Supporting forums to encourage women to engage with the Party
• New member nights and State Council forums
• Updating the Office Bearers’ Go‐to‐Guide
• Working with the Training Standing Committee to develop office bearer training sessions
• Developing a member vetting tool for Membership Officers
• Promoting the Volunteer Engagement Strategy to Office Bearers
• Improving our promotional materials

Our recommendations for the Committee to continue working on over the next year are to:
• Analyse what other organisations are doing to successfully increase membership and see if any of
those learnings are transferable for our Party
• Introduce membership growth targets for Members of Parliament
• Consider whether improvements could be made to our membership fee structure
• Increase support and engagement with country members
* Host regional new members’ nights

It has been a privilege to chair the Membership Development Standing Committee over this last year
and I look forward to seeing the Committee continuing to support the work of our Party volunteers and
the Secretariat as we fight to win government in Victoria in November 2018.
‐ 51 ‐

Steering Committee
(Paul Mitchell, Chairman)

It has been a great honour to have been the Chairman of the Steering Committee at State Assembly this
year. This year we looked to bring policy back to State Assembly and we launched a highly effective
energy forum at our June meeting last year. Convened by Country Vice President, Beverly McArthur,
panellists included Josh Frydenberg, David Southwick, Patrick Gubbins from the Minerals Council and
Michael Pointer (who wrote a terrific paper on energy affordability and reliability).
Only weeks after this State Assembly, Party Members were delighted to see that under a Guy
Government conventional gas exploration and drilling would be back in Victoria, lifting the absurd
moratorium which has seen gas prices skyrocket. In no small part was this policy achievement due to
the grassroots activism from State Assembly combined with the Rural and Regional Committee who saw
this policy from its infancy to its announcement. A really fantastic outcome demonstrating what
ordinary party members are capable of.
An informal State Assembly Meeting saw an all‐time classic Liberal Party Meeting discussing the
imminent voluntary assisted dying bill. At times emotional, but at all times philosophical and deeply
personal, Party Members got to hear about this issue in a raw, sentimental and personal way. What a
marvellous thing it is to debate and discuss issues of conscience.
At subsequent State Assemblies we were delighted to hear from the likes of David Davis on planning
policy, Inga Peulich on engaging multicultural communities, Tim Smith on abolishing the dangerous safe
schools program and Ed O’Donohue on the crime epidemic gripping Victoria.
A particular highlight for me was seeing Greg Hunt open proceedings in 2018 with an inspired address
on what the Coalition was doing federally in the health space. Greg Hunt continues to be a shining light
at Federal level and it was great to have him along.
Our new Senators, James Paterson and Jane Hume, were also always willing to deliver us the latest
updates from Canberra for which we were most appreciative for. Finally, it is always great to hear from
the State President Michael Kroger and State Director Nick Demiris (and former State Director, Simon
Frost) at State Assembly. These individuals have remarkable political brains, foresight and vision.
Leading up to an election year, delegates have impressed on me the importance of campaign strategy
and action so that we are constantly thinking proactively about how we beat our Labor opponents. With
the might of the union movement behind them, beating Labor is not easy. It will take the collective
wisdom of all of us to remain strong, vigilant, clever and on our toes. Thank you to everyone for your
support and encouragement this year – a year of policy, action and strategy. Let’s win in November
2018!
‐ 52 ‐
Media and Communications Standing Committee
(Greg Mirabella, Chairman)
The Media & Communications Committee has to date not had a Charter, specifying its role and
responsibilities. Several versions of a proposed Charter were presented to the Administrative
Committee before finally being ratified as the Media & Communications Committee Charter in February
this year. The main feature of the Charter is that the Committee’s primary role is to be a resource
available to the State Director and the Parliamentary Party to carry out requested tasks. The Committee
has no powers.

In consultation with the State Director, the Committee has set itself the following tasks for 2018:

a. Develop a standards framework for website protocols for members, candidates, and MPs,
both private and public. This to address issues such as:
i. Authorisation protocols;
ii. Authority for publication of images; and
iii. Brand, colour, and design commonality.

b. Develop a standards framework for members’ social media pages and comments. This to
address problematic issues such as:
i. Using logos and identifying with the Liberal Party;
ii. Unacceptable commentary, including against other members; and
iii. Procedures for rapid complaints & remediation.

c. Ongoing responsibility to maintain and update the Party’s style guide.

It is also intended that members of the Committee in 2018 will be involved in “war gaming” workshops
in the lead up to the State election.

‐ 53 ‐
Liberal Women’s Council Victoria
(Helen Kroger, Chairman)

The Liberal Women’s Council over the last 12 months has based its activities on how we can use our
platform to elevate and assist all women in the Party to effectively campaign and contest state seats for
the November State Election. Membership and money is central to contest elections, and there has
been a central focus to raise both new members and fundraising. This agenda continues this year with
the need to increase capacity to support our women.

The 2018 AGM was held on the 7th April, 2018 and the leadership team was uncontested.
Acknowledgement and thanks to the outgoing Executive members who did not re contest – Wendy
Benci (Vice‐Chairman), Caroline Inge and Emily Tang. Their support of the Council is greatly
appreciated.

1. Membership – Our numbers are up substantially and it is acknowledged that we need to
redouble our efforts to recruit, engage and activate a younger demographic.
2. Fundraising – The Central Council has raised close to $40,000 and particular acknowledgement
to many individual Women Sections who have independently raised substantial funds for
candidates.
3. Monthly meetings were held to provide a platform to many of our women MP’s along with their
male counterparts who led thoughtful policy discussion. Meetings were used to introduce
many of our state candidates across the state, who all are deserving of our support.
4. A special regional meeting was held in Ripon to support our most marginal MP, Louise Staley.
5. The Couchman Scholarship continued and the 2017 recipient, Ms Jess Wilson presented her
paper “Put Your Hand Up”,that was researched and based on the US Republican campaign
experiences. Two scholarships were awarded this year, the projects focusing on a fundraising
manual and the second researching the 18‐23 year old demographic. We are looking to the
results of both towards the end of the year.
6. As the Federal Women’s President for the second year, we are establishing a national
scholarship program across the country to enable women to access real experience in the
political landscape.

In closing, our congratulations to the Hon Kelly O’Dwyer MP who was appointed the Minister for
Women, adding to her considerable portfolio. We look forward to working closely with her and all our
state candidates to ensure the return of a conservative government in Victoria under the leadership of
Matthew Guy.

‐ 54 ‐
Agenda Standing Committee Report
(Sean Armistead, Chairman)

The Agenda Committee 2017/2018 is tasked with delivering metropolitan and regional State Councils
(SC). I am pleased to report that the Committee has worked in a cooperative and professional manner
to project manage these events working closely with the State Council Manager Tony McKenna and his
team, who as always are consummate professionals in the management of State Council.

SC 164 was the first event delivered by the Agenda Committee. Held at Lardner Park in Gippsland, the
State and Federal seats of Narracan and McMillan. The Agenda Committee trialled a new format,
replacing the standard agenda of motions being debated by State and Federal jurisdictions, instead
collating motions under an issues based grouping and debated in a Plenary Session. Each session
consisted of subject matter experts speaking on relevant issues, a short question and answer session
and tabled motions being debated. Member feedback for the trialled format was very positive. The
Agenda Committee acknowledges that this process can be further modified and improved to ensure
smoother delivery and importantly, increasing the number of members able to speak to motions.

It is pleasing to note that this State Council 165 at Melbourne Park, has seen a major increase in the
number of motions submitted; more than 80 motions across a diverse range of policy, organisational
and constitutional areas. Whilst challenging for the Committee to prioritise so many motions it is a clear
sign of an engaged membership. The Agenda Committee acknowledges the time and effort contributed
by the movers of each motion.

As Agenda Chair I would like to thank Agenda Committee members for their time committed to the
delivery of both State Councils, and whilst discussions were sometimes robust, the focus of the
committee was always on being true to expectation of the Liberal Party members and respecting their
voice at State Council.

Thank you to all of the Agenda Committee for your attendance and input:

Helen Kroger Raylene Pearce Joanna Hill
Charley Daniel Cynthia Watson Jan Millard
Ian Quick Peter Angelico Simon Breheny
Matthew Verschuur Alex Lisov

‐ 55 ‐
Report of attendance at Administrative Committee
MEETINGS APRIL 2017 – MARCH 2018
ATTENDANCE
NAME
BASTIAAN, Mr Marcus 17
BYRNE, Ms Holly 17
DOWNER, Ms Georgina 17
HANNAN, Mr Greg 17
HANNAN, Mr Russell 17
HEAD, Mrs Robyne 15
KROGER, Mrs Helen 17
KROGER, Mr Michael 13
LANE, Mr Aaron 13
**LISOV, Mr Alex (elected Feb 2018 – eligible to attend 1 meeting) 1
McARTHUR, Mrs Bev 17
MIRABELLA, Mr Greg 17
MITCHELL, Mr Paul 16
OKOTEL, Mrs Karina 17
**PEARCE, Ms Raylene 13
**POUNTNEY, Mr Michael 7
**QUICK, Mr Ian (elected Dec 2017 – eligible to attend 3 meetings) 3
SNELL, Mr Tony 0
State Parliamentary Leader (or Nominee)
GUY MP, Hon Matthew 13
Federal Parliamentary Leader (or Nominee)
FIFIELD, Senator the Hon Mitch 7
*17 meetings were held in this period.
** Full Terms
‐ 56 ‐
Report of Attendance at State Assembly
APRIL 2017 – MARCH 2018 *7 meetings were held in this period
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE
BASTIAAN, Mr Marcus 5
BYRNE, Ms Holly 5
DOWNER, Ms Georgina 4
HANNAN, Mr Greg 5
HANNAN, Mr Russell 5
HEAD, Mrs Robyne 6
KROGER, Mrs Helen 5
KROGER, Mr Michael 7
LANE, Mr Aaron 5
LISOV, Mr Alex 1
McARTHUR, Mrs Bev 6
MIRABELLA, Mr Greg 6
MITCHELL, Mr Paul 6
OKOTEL, Mrs Karina 6
PEARCE, Ms Raylene 2
PETROVICH, Mrs Donna 3
POUNTNEY, Mr Michael 2
SNELL, Mr Tony 0
State Parliamentary Leader (or Nominee)
GUY MP, Hon Matthew 2
Federal Parliamentary Leader (or Nominee)
FIFIELD, Senator Hon Mitch 2

FEDERAL PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATIVES
RYAN, Senator Hon Scott 2
HUME, Senator Jane 6
PATERSON, Senator James 6
ANDREWS, Hon Kevin MP 1

STATE PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATIVES
LOVELL, Hon Wendy MP 4
MORRIS, Mr David MP 2
PEULICH, Mrs Inga MP 3
WATT, Mr Graham MP 5

STATE DEPUTY LEADER
HODGETT, Hon David MP 2

FEDERAL EXECUTIVE
ALSTON, Hon Richard 1
BURNES, Mr Andrew ‐
STOCKDALE, Hon Alan ‐

‐ 57 ‐
METROPLITAN MALE
ACKERMAN, Fred 7
ANGELICO, Peter 7
ARMISTEAD, Sean 4
BASSANETTI, Zach 5
BREHENY, Simon 3
FRANTZESKOS, Con 6
LONG, Keiron 6
MANASSA, Cameron 5
QUICK, Ian 7
ROZNER, Gideon 4
STRATOV, Ivan 4
WATSON, Elliot 5
WILSON, Simon 7
WOLAHAN, Keith 4
WOOLDRIDGE, Toby 3

COUNTRY MALE
BAIRD, David 6
DUNNE, Blake 5
EVERIST, Charles 3
HOLLAND, Steve 6
HURST, Joshua 1
JEWELL, Don 7
KEMPTON, Adam 1
MILLAR, Rohan 4
O'KANE, Camillus 5
RENYARD, John 3
RONALDS, Andrew 3
ROSS, Alexander 1
VERSCHUUR, Mark 6
WILSON, Matthew 6
ZERBE, Benjamin 6

METROPOLITAN FEMALE
BARTLETT, Susan 1
BEAUMONT, Kate 7
BITANS, Ann 5
FITZGERALD, Victoria 4
GROGAN, Christine 7
HARDY, Caitlin 3
INGE, Caroline 7
LIU, Gladys 4
MILLARD, Jan 7
MULHOLLAND, Jenny 6
RANCIE, Marijke 5
SMETHURST, Susan 0
‐ 58 ‐
TURNER, Susan 6
WATSON, Cynthia 6
WILSON, Jess 5

COUNTRY FEMALE
ALDRED, Mary 2
BAIRD, Janet 6
BASTIAAN, Stephanie 4
BOS, Louvaine 6
COLTMAN, Vicki 1
DANIEL, Charley 6
LENAN ELLIS, Margaret 2
MIDDLETON, Grace 6
MILLAR, Amanda 7
MURNANE, Monica 5
OGILVY‐O’DONNELL, Fiona 5
O’KANE, Kelly 3
RENYARD, Heather 3
ROSS, Georgina 1
WELLS, Norma 6

ASTON FROST, Glenda 2016/17 4
GILMOUR, Michael 4

BALLARAT PERRIN, Andrea 2017/18 0
MCINTOSH, Samantha 2016/17 1
YAP, Kenneth 2016/17 2
RELOUW, Zachary 2017/18 0

BATMAN GROGAN, Martin 7

BENDIGO PETROVICH, Serge 2017/18 0
DOWNS, Barbara 2016/17 7
LYONS, Jack 2016/17 1

BRUCE MILNES, Jeanette 6
LOPES, Rudy 7

CALWELL FINN, Cathy 6
COLLIER, Ben 4

CASEY HENDERSON, Fran 7
OSBORN, Alister 5

‐ 59 ‐
CHISHOLM VAYENAS, Sophie 5
HANSEN, Ian 2017/18 1
SOLLY, David 6

CORANGAMITE TRAVIS, Nina‐Lee 2017/18 0
MCCRACKEN, Joseph 3
BUTTERWORTH, Suzanne 2016/17 1

CORIO GILLETT, John 2
WHITESIDE, Helen 2

DEAKIN MAMOUNEY, Filomena 6
KITCHEN, David 2016/17 2
McCALLUM, Andrew 2017/18 3

DUNKLEY HILL, Alice 4
SHAW, Eric 2016/17 1
SCREEN, Alexander 2017/18 1

FLINDERS JEWELL, Lyn 7
RAWLINGS, Peter 2017/18 1

GELLIBRAND AMATO, Maria 2
DABROWA, Paul 2017/18 1
HOCKING, Ian 2016/17 4

GIPPSLAND DAVIS, Annabelle 3
ROSSETTI, Scott 0

GOLDSTEIN HAWKINS, Jean 7
TALBOT, Leo 2016/17 5

GORTON JENNISON, John 6
JENNISON, Susan 6

HIGGINS DENNIS, Bernadette 4
MORTIMER, Jonathan 6

HOLT JOGIS, Susan 2017/18 0
PUTTA, Aravind 2016/17 3
RICH‐PHILLIPS, Sue 2016/17 2
PATTERSON, Nick 2017/18 0

HOTHAM RIVERO, Beatriz 2017/18 1
BEVINAKOPPA, Gandhi 2016/17 3
PHILLIPS, Georgie 2016/17 5
BENDER, Paul 2017/18 2
‐ 60 ‐

INDI LITHGOW, John 7
MIRABELLA, Sophie 4

ISAACS DARK, Timothy 2017/18 1
GLEDHILL, Geoff 2016/17 2
O’BRIEN, Jennifer 2017/18 2

JAGAJAGA WALDRON, Carole 2017/18 0
CONNORS, Terri‐Anne 2016/17 2
MULHOLLAND, David J 2016/17 5

KOOYONG DIPNALL, Paul 2017/18 1
ROWAN, Meredith 2016/17 1
ROWSWELL, Brendan 2016/17 1

LALOR MURPHY, Gayle 6
GOWER, John 2016/17 6
MURPHY , Stephen 2017/18 1

LA TROBE BESTENBREUR, Susanne 2017/18 0
BISHOP, Joy 2016/17 4
HOPPITT, Kyle 4

MALLEE HOSKING, Bernadette 2
BADE, John 6

MARIBYRNONG HATZAKORTZIAN, Ted 2017/18 0
LAWRENCE, Tamsin 2016/17 5
RADFORD, James 2016/17 3
PLIM, Diane 2017/18 3

MCEWEN SHEAHAN, Dale 2017/18 1
SHEAHAN, Liam 2017/18 1
BUTLER, John 2016/17 1
MARR, Casandra 2016/17 2

MCMILLAN ARMSTRONG, Adam 4
HILL, Joanna 2016/17 2

MELBOURNE CAMPBELL, Roshena 3
KENNEDY, Michael 7

MELBOURNE PORTS CLARK, Rhonda 2017/18 0
ASHMOR, Kate 2016/17 4
GUEST, Owen 4

‐ 61 ‐
MENZIES VELINS, Anda 7
VELINS, Eriks 7

MURRAY BROWN, Louise 2
KELLY, Jason 5

SCULLIN MCLEAN, Malcolm 6
MURPHY, Sharon 1

WANNON LOWE, Jennifer 7
PUGH, Ian 5

WILLS DEE, Joseph 2017/18 2
HEATH, Renee 2017/18 0
NIKIAS, Stylianos 2016/17 2
PISCITELLO, Rita 2016/17 7

‐ 62 ‐
State Council Office Bearers & Officials

HEAD TABLE

Michael Kroger Nick Demiris
State President State Director

Greg Hannan Karina Okotel
Vice President, Metropolitan Male Vice President, Metropolitan Female

Greg Mirabella Bev McArthur
Vice President, Country Male Vice President, Country Female

Helen Kroger Alex Lisov
Chairman, Liberal Women’s Council President, Young Liberal Movement

Russell Hannan
Treasurer

STATE COUNCIL ORGANISATION

Sean Armistead Tony McKenna
Chairman, State Council Agenda Committee State Council Manager

ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE

Michael Kroger, State President

The Hon Matthew Guy MP Senator the Hon Mitch Fifield

Greg Hannan Karina Okotel

Greg Mirabella Bev McArthur

Tony Snell Russell Hannan

Georgina Downer Holly Byrne

Marcus Bastiaan Ian Quick

Robyne Head Donna Petrovich

Paul Mitchell Aaron Lane

Helen Kroger Alex Lisov

‐ 63 ‐
165 State Council Robert Menzies Centre
Level 3, 104 Exhibition Street
Members: 1800 759 586
Telephone: (03) 9654 2255
Agenda Melbourne Victoria 3000 Email: libs@vic.liberal.org.au

LNP Vic State Conference - 165 Agenda Final 10 April

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Melbourne Park Function Centre

‘Advance Australia Fair’

165th State Council

Time Policy Forums Speakers Room

26. Waste Recycling Heathmont Branch

40. Puppy Farm Legislation McArthur Plus 10 Members

50. Nomination Forms – Delegates to State Council Officer / Beaconsfield Branch

59. Member Transfers – FEC / SEC Miftari Plus 10 Members

69. Time Restrictions – FEC / SEC Ballot Papers Return Eildon SEC

70. Annual Meetings – Every Second Year Administrative Committee

D. Organisational Motions (Nos 71-79)

12. Policing and Law and Order Sunbury Branch

22. Payroll Tax Horsham Branch

26. Waste Recycling Heathmont Branch

30. Children Legislation Amendment Bill 2017 Hotham FEC

31. Growth Area Infrastructure Contribution Local Government,

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