A huge story emerging from the 2022 federal election result was the grassroots strength of independents, who dislodged both Liberal and Labor in historically “safe seats”.
But the woes of the major parties extend beyond election day; they’re also reflected in the terminal trajectory of party membership.
In 2020, the Guardian reported the Australian Labor Party has around 60,000 members. The Liberal Party is currently estimated to have around 40,000 members, down from 197,000 during the halcyon days of the 1950s.
