The Moderates, are a faction comprising the members, supporters and voters of the Liberal Party of Australia who are typically economically, socially and environmentally liberal. Described as centrist, the faction has supported ideologies such as economic liberalism, centrism and cultural liberalism, having a combination of economically liberal and socially progressive views. From May 2025 to February 2026, the offices of Leader of the Liberal Party and Leader of the Opposition were occupied by Sussan Ley, a member of the Moderates who was the first woman to hold either position.
They compete with the Liberal Party's currently larger and controlling faction, the National Right.
Geographical base
Moderate Liberals traditionally represent inner-city and wealthy House of Representatives seats or are in the Senate.
Membership
Prominent moderates include former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, former Foreign Affairs Minister and former Deputy Leader Julie Bishop, former Defence Minister Christopher Pyne, former Attorney-General George Brandis, and former Liberal-turned-independent MP Julia Banks.
Prominent moderates in the Morrison government included Senate leader Simon Birmingham, Marise Payne, Paul Fletcher and Linda Reynolds.
At the state level, four Liberal leaders are from this faction: Kellie Sloane (the New South Wales Opposition Leader), Jeremy Rockliff (the current Tasmanian Premier), Jess Wilson (the Victorian Opposition Leader), and Ashton Hurn (the South Australia Opposition Leader). Prominent Moderates in New South Wales include Gladys Berejiklian (the 45th Premier of New South Wales), Matt Kean (the faction's leader in New South Wales and former deputy leader of the party), Chris Rath (Opposition Whip in the Legislative Council, Shadow Minister, and powerbroker), Michael Photios (Former Minister and powerbroker), Rob Stokes (a former Cabinet minister), and Natalie Ward (the party's deputy leader in New South Wales). Prominent Moderates in other states include Georgie Crozier and David Southwick in Victoria; John Gardner, Josh Teague (current South Australian Liberal deputy leader) and Tim Whetstone in South Australia; and Peter Gutwein and Will Hodgman in Tasmania (who both served as Premier).
Current Federal Members . +NameConstituencyCurrent Shadow/Former Government PositionsState/TerritoryTed O'BrienMember for FairfaxFormer Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow TreasurerQLDMaria Kovacic Senator for NSWShadow Assistant MinisterNSWAnne RustonSenator for SADeputy Leader of Opposition in Senate, Manager of Opposition Business in Senate, Shadow Minister for Health, NDIS and Sport Former Minister for Families and Social Services.SAJane HumeSenator for VICFormer Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy, and Women's Economic Security portfolios.VICAngie BellMember for MoncriefShadow Minister for Environment and YouthQLDRichard ColbeckSenator for TASTASAndrew BraggSenator for NSWShadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness, and Productivity and DeregulationNSWTim WilsonMember for GoldsteinShadow Minister for Small Business, and Industrial Relations and EmploymentVICPaul ScarrSenator for QLDShadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship and Multicultural AffairsQLDMary AldredMember for MonashVICJames McGrathSenator for QLDShadow Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities, Brisbane 2032 Olympics, and Shadow Special Minister of State Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the SenateQLDDave SharmaSenator for NSWShadow Assistant MinisterNSWMelissa PriceMember for DurackShadow Minister for Defence Industry and Defence Personnel Former Minister for EnvironmentWAJulian LeeserMember for BerowraShadow Minister for Arts and Attorney GeneralNSWKerrynne LiddleSenator for SAShadow Minister for Social Services and Indigenous AustraliansSA
Former Federal Members
John Alexander Katie Allen Bridget Archer Julia Banks Julie Bishop David Coleman Warren Entsch Trevor Evans Jason Falinski Paul Fletcher Joe Hockey Fiona Martin Christopher Pyne Malcolm Turnbull Jenny Ware Ken Wyatt Trent Zimmerman Simon Birmingham George Brandis Marise Payne
See also
Teal independents National Right One Nation Conservatives Blue Grit Red Tory Blue Dog Coalition New Democrat Coalition Republican Governance Group Labor Right Labor Left
Notes
References