Sky News Australia is set to unveil a gripping two-part documentary titled Liberals in Power, shedding light on the intricate dynamics within the Liberal Party from 2013-2022.
This period, encapsulating the leaderships of Abbott, Turnbull, and Morrison, was marked by its own brand of turbulence despite the party’s aspiration to avoid the upheaval that characterised the Rudd-Gillard-Rudd reign in the Labor Party.
Chris Kenny, a seasoned Sky News anchor with experience serving as the chief of staff to both Alexander Downer and Malcolm Turnbull, will helm the documentary. Set to broadcast on Monday 13 November and Tuesday 14 November at 8pm AEDT, audiences can tune into Foxtel, Sky News Regional or opt for streaming on Flash.
The programme promises fresh insights from top political figures, shedding light on the party’s accomplishments and tribulations. Notably, the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison era saw the reinforcement of national borders, clinching of crucial free trade deals, robust response to China, and the formulation of the transformative AUKUS defence pact. However, internal strife, allegations of a “women problem”, and Scott Morrison’s electoral defeat marked significant lows.
Kenny observes,
“It is incredible that after the lessons of the Rudd-Gillard-Rudd era, the Liberal Party tumbled down the same path of leadership turmoil. In interviews with the senior players, it seems they can hardly believe it either.”
The urgency of the events unfolding during this era, especially with Australia contending with a formidable pandemic and a progressively assertive China, amplifies the narrative’s significance. Kenny further added,
“These governments delivered significant achievements for the nation, but in the end the Liberal Party is left to do some serious soul-searching about its future.”
The documentary’s comprehensive narrative, encompassing the highs of the COVID-19 response to the lows of party infighting, promises viewers a riveting exploration into a defining decade for the Liberal Party.
