Liberal National Party caucus HQ

[Swedish Rainbow Capitalist Cheese]

LNP members register, discuss and socialize here.

The LNP is the major centre-right party in this game (so far) and is a merger of the Liberal Party and the more Conservative National Party. The party is united behind a fiscally responsible and right-wing economic policy but members differ on social issues with both a Conservative wing and a Liberal wing.     


Please fill out the following when registering your character:

Name:
Age:
Ideology:
Place of Birth:
Occupation:
Family:
Brief Biography:
Other:

[Swedish Rainbow Capitalist Cheese]

Name: Roger Erenford
Age: 46
Ideology: Pragmatic centrist Conservative
Place of Birth: Darwin, NT
Occupation: Cattle farmer
Family: Wife Maria (44) and three sons, David (22), Victor (19) and Connor (18)

Brief Biography: Roger grew up on a family farm in the Northern Territory, taking an early interest in both religion and politics. He joined the Young Nationals and were an active member until he moved away to Brisbane to go to University where he studied economics. However before he could graduate, his father Brandon passed away and Roger choose to return back home to take over the family farm. He married local girl and teacher at a Christian school Maria Evans and started a family. Once back in NT he was persuaded to get into politics again and advanced through the party until becoming an MP at age 35. His pragmatic and results focused style soon gave him many friends in both his party and on the other side of the political aisle. He was a key supporter in the merging of the Liberal and National parties.      

Other: Though a devoted Christian with Conservative values, he has had a change on LGBT-issues since his youngest son Connor came out as gay. He has ambitions to rise through the party ranks and eventually become leader.

Division: Maranoa

[Talleyrand]

Maxine Bartlett MP on the cover of Women's Weekly

Name: Maxine Bartlett
Age: 42
Ideology: "Small-l" Liberal
Place of Birth: Wellington Point, Queensland
Occupation: Barrister and Solicitor
Family: Ex-husband Peter Heweson (45), son Marcus (15), and daughter Isabella (11)

Brief Biography: Maxine was born in an upper middle-class family in the leafy Brisbane suburb of Wellington Point, as the last of eleven children. Her father was a local physician, while her mother was a housewife. She attended Australian National University, where she received both her Bachelor and Master's degrees in law. Active in the College Liberal Club, she eventually rose to become its President. In 1994, Maxine returned to Queensland, taking a position with the prominent law firm Mallesons Stephen Jaques, where she worked for the next decade. During this time, she married businessman Peter Heweson, with whom she had two children. The couple divorced after eight years of marriage in 2005 after he admitted to having a child out of wedlock.

In 2004, she narrowly won a bitter pre-selection battle for the seat of Bowman over a prominent state MP, and won the seat with a 7.9% margin in the election. Despite suffering a huge swing which left her seat with 0.4% majority in 2007, Maxine currently holds the seat with a comfortable 60.5% of the two-party-preferred vote. She has risen quickly through LNP ranks, and is considered one of the best parliamentary performers on either side of the aisle. Maxine frequently appears on television, as she's considered one of the better communicators in the party. She has been popular among her fellow Queensland and centrist LNP MPs and rank-and-file.

Other: Maxine, a non-practicing Anglican, has been one of the more socially liberal members of the party. Formerly active in the Republican movement, she supports same-sex marriage and has expressed support for an emissions trading scheme. On economic issues, she has traditionally been a "dry", or Thatcherite. She splits her time between Canberra and her Queensland electorate, where she has a home in Cornubia. Maxine's hobbies include tennis, snorkeling, and scuba-diving. Despite having dated on-and-off since her divorce, Maxine is currently single.

Division: Bowman, Queensland


Swedish Cheese, do you want to have a vote on renaming the party? Should we have an election for each position on the frontbench, or elect the leader and then have him select its members?

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Name: Ian Alexander Harlow
Age: 39
Ideology: Libertarian
Place of Birth: Milton, New South Wales.
Occupation: Journalist.
Division: Gilmore.
Family: Wife Adrianna (31), two daughters Katherine (6), and Elizabeth (2).
Brief Biography: Ian Harlow was born in the town of Milton, in New South Wales to Steven Harlow (1944-) and Joyce Harlow (1950-). Attended the University of Newcastle and was a political correspondent for The Australian (1989-2003) and was elected to parliament as a member of the Liberal-National Party in 2007. Harlow is a relatively quiet MP who is not frequently on news broadcasts, but is a relatively decent orator and tries to not be “just another backbencher” (as he puts it). He met his wife, a native of Greece, while vactioning in Italy with his brother, and married her a year later. Adrianna Harlow is a nurse. He has two daughters.
Other: Mr. Harlow is a proponent of the Austrian School of Economics and supports decriminalizing cannabis, legalizing same sex marriage, and a more withdrawn foreign policy centered around Australian interests in the Pacific.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

OOC: Should we vote on a possible renaming of the party (I personally like the current one) and how the frontbench is selected, as the Labor Party is doing?

[Talleyrand]

I'm only for changing the name if the ALP does so as well. It doesn't need to be something radically different. For example, the National Liberal Alliance could suffice.

BTW, Sanchez, what electorate are you in? I'm guessing something in NSW, so you should probably pick one from the list here- Link.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

I took the constituency of Gilmore.

[Napoleon]

Name: Matthew Collins
Age: 36
Ideology: Liberal
Place of Birth: Vaucluse, NSW
Constituency: Wentworth
Occupation: Media proprieter
Family: Wife Melissa (32)
Brief Biography: Heir to his family's media empire, Collins took control of the company at the young age of 27 when his father decided to retire in order to spend more time with his mother. Despite earning the ire of many Liberal interest groups and old monied families, perhaps most notably, Edward Lloyd, with his companies' propensity to present a message reflective of Collins' beliefs (and his father's before)- including secularism and environmentalism, with mining and oil corporations being frequent targets, Collins' advocacy for a new direction made a popular rising star for the moderate and socially progressive elements of the Liberal National Party. He is in his second term and his ties to the largest media company in the country has enabled him to rise quickly within the party's caucus despite some high-profile disagreements with the party establishment.
Other: One of the youngest members of Parliament, Collins and his wife frequently appear at celebrity events, on television and magazine covers and a large media presence- likely due to Collins' own media prominence before being elected. Detractors have referred to Collins as an "attention whore".

In spite of accusations that the Collins family's media corporation has used their platform to push a political agenda, the company has remained nonpartisan for nearly all purposes. Collins' brands hold the most news viewership on television and the largest circulation for newspapers as well.

Collins is an avid fan of the outdoors and frequently enjoys hiking and enjoying the beauty of the ocean.

[tpfkaw]

I might do a little role-playing.

(Where do we claim our electoral division?  I'd like to take Curtin).



(My apologies to Rep. Scott Barrett, R-NJ)

Name: Martin Oakleigh
Age: 58
Ideology: Populist
Place of Birth: Fremantle, WA
Occupation: Syndicated columnist, radio talk show host, writes an investment newsletter.
Family: wife Emilie (56), 5 children aged 16-29

Brief Biography: The son of a fisherman, Oakleigh first achieved prominence in 1976, when, as President of the University of Western Australia Young Liberals, he responded to a campus demonstration "against racism, imperialism, and heterosexism" by provoking a near-riot in leading a group of students and several hundred hard-hatted workers he had recruited from a nearby construction site in a chant of "COMMIE FAGS WHO BURN THE FLAG; PUT 'EM ALL IN BODY BAGS!"  Thrown out of university and put on trial for incitement, a media and political circus developed as demonstrators screaming his memorable slogan gathered in the thousands outside the courthouse daily before the jury returned a unanimous not-guilty verdict.  He found work immediately after the election as a syndicated columnist and host of a local radio talk show, known for his caustic wit and strongly-held viewpoints.  He was elected to Parliament at the age of 28 in a 1981 by-election and has been returned by a strong majority ever since.

In Parliament, Oakleigh has been known for his theatrics, assigning unflattering nicknames to rival parliamentarians, such as "The Dullard" or "Flipsy."  When a judge granted an injunction on defamation grounds against the media publishing the details of a sex scandal against a prominent opposition frontbencher in 2005, Oakleigh unfurled a large banner in Parliament reading "WHY DIDN'T YOU PAY THE HOOKER?"  Oakleigh is generally known for his staunch conservatism, most notably railing against "boat people" and political correctness in his columns and speeches, as well as having opposed the government's gun measures in 1997.  However, he has been known to adopt economically populist positions as well, distancing himself from his own party's "Fightback!" manifesto in 1993, and consistently supporting generous increases in old age pensions, and he has been endorsed on occasion by union locals in his division.  He surprised many observers when he called for the repeal of sodomy laws in 1978 - not a mainstream position in Western Australia at the time, but he remains an opponent of same-sex marriage.  He did apologize to Perth's LGBT community in 2004 for his "overexuberance in my college days."  He opposed Australia's involvement in the Iraq War beginning in 2003 but frequently denounced "traitors" who accused Australian soldiers of committing war crimes.  He is one of the few prominent advocates of returning Australia to the gold standard, a position which would aid the mining industry of Western Australia.  Polls have shown on several occasions that many Liberal-Nationals would like for him to be their leader, and also that a hypothetical new party led by him could capture a significant portion of the right-wing and social conservative vote.

Other: Oakleigh is an avid birdwatcher, and has written several well-regarded books on the subject.

[Wake Me Up When The Hard Border Ends]

Name: Donald Richards
Age: 43
Ideology: Conservative
Division: Sturt
Place of Birth: Glen Osmond, SA
Occupation: Accountant
Family: Wife Amanda (42), 4 children aged 14, 12, 9 and 6.

Brief Biography: Richards was born to a wealthy family in Adelaide's eastern suburbs, and started his career on weekends and holidays while still in high school, working in the family business. After obtaining a commerce degree from the University of Adelaide, where he met his future wife Amanda, he continued to work in the family business, namely a highly renowned accounting firm. Elected into Parliament at the age of 37, Richards has become known for his numerous profound statements on the issues, particularly life issues, marriage, defense (notable for opposing the war in Iraq, seeing it as too costly and un-Christian), the economy, and the decaying moral fibre of Australia.

Other: Richards enjoys fishing, camping, golfing, volunteering at his local Anglican church, and computer programming, but most of all, spending time with his family.

[Swedish Rainbow Capitalist Cheese]

Hey this thread is starting to live up nicely.
So I guess when we now actually has some members in the party (besides me) we should start thinking about leadership/frontbench selection.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

I nominate Mr. Oakleigh for the leadership of our party.

[Napoleon]

I nominate Ms Bartlett.

[Talleyrand]

I nominate Ms Bartlett.

Nomination seconded. (shameless self promotion)

Should we hold a ballot for the deputy leadership, or should that be an issue we consider as part of how the frontbench is elected?

We should probably consider the following question like the ALP did.

How should frontbenchers (ministers/shadow ministers) be appointed? (please cross next to preference)
[  X  ] Appointed by Party Leader
[   ] Elected by the caucus to each individual ministry

[tpfkaw]

How should frontbenchers (ministers/shadow ministers) be appointed? (please cross next to preference)
[ X ] Appointed by Party Leader
[    ] Elected by the caucus to each individual ministry

I nominate Mr. Oakleigh for the leadership of our party.

Seconded.  (Shameful self-promotion.  Shameful!)

[Napoleon]

Appointment by leadership

[Del Tachi]

Name: Francis Jordan
Age: 52
Ideology: Moderately Conservative
Place of Birth: Katanning, WA
Constituency: O'Connor
Occupation: Rancher/business owner
Family: Wife Elisabeth (45); Sons Anthony (21), Connor (18); Daughter Helen (20)
Brief Biography: Jordan was born into a ranching family in the south of Western Australia.  He never attended university, as he focused his occupational efforts on supporting his family's ranch.  As a way to supplement his family's income, he started his own leather goods company when he was 27.  His company is now a leading Australian manufacturer of fine leather, and his goods have been featured in boutiques in Sydney, Hong Kong, London, Paris,and New York.  In addition, his family's ranch is one of the largest in WA and continues to be a vital part of his financial success.  His successful enterprises have allowed him to become moderately wealthy, and his net worth is estimated at around 12 million USD.  His net worth is supplemented by his investments, which include large real estate holdings in his constituency.   
Other: Jordan has developed a reputation as a tenacious and sometimes Machiavellian MP.  He is seen a personally ambitious and aspires to the frontbench.  His business connections make him especially sympathetic to the agriculture and corporate lobbies.  He is an unabashed supporter of free-market capitalism, and has been known to be one of the most socially conservative MPs.  However, his pro-capitalism beliefs are somewhat tempered by his support of government largesse in promoting and subsidizing industry.  He is an ardent member of the Churches of Christ of Australia, making him one of the few Evangelicals in Parliament.

[Del Tachi]

How should frontbenchers (ministers/shadow ministers) be appointed? (please cross next to preference)
[ X ] Appointed by Party Leader
[    ] Elected by the caucus to each individual ministry

[Swedish Rainbow Capitalist Cheese]

How should frontbenchers (ministers/shadow ministers) be appointed? (please cross next to preference)
[ X ] Appointed by Party Leader
[    ] Elected by the caucus to each individual ministry

Though I think Deputy leader should be an elected position.

 

[Platypus]

Maranoa's a good fit, but I believe it is a constitutional requirement that he lives in the same state as his seat...

...but I can't remember if that's the US or Australian constitution

[Swedish Rainbow Capitalist Cheese]

Maranoa's a good fit, but I believe it is a constitutional requirement that he lives in the same state as his seat...

...but I can't remember if that's the US or Australian constitution

I couldn't find anything about it in the Australian constitution:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

So I'm gonna keep my seat.

[Talleyrand]

OOC: Former PM Julia Gillard, for example, lives in Altona , which is actually in the neighboring electorate of Gellibrand, instead of her division, Lalor. And while Barnaby Joyce (the future National Leader) is contesting the NSW Division of New England, I believe he still lives in in neighboring Maranoa (QLD). So Swedish Cheese looks like he's in the clear.

[Platypus]

Altona was in Lalor when she was first elected to the seat, though:

http://www.aec.gov.au/Elections/federal_elections/2001/files/2001/l/Lalor.pdf

[Swedish Rainbow Capitalist Cheese]

OOC: I'll be away working, with-out any internet access, for the next five days. Just so you know I haven't given up on this already when I disappear for a bit.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

How should frontbenchers (ministers/shadow ministers) be appointed? (please cross next to preference)
[X] Appointed by Party Leader
[    ] Elected by the caucus to each individual ministry