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AAP
AAP
Politics
Maeve Bannister

Liberal Party 'at a crossroads' after election losses

Moderate Liberal Bridget Archer says not supporting an Indigenous voice could harm the party. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Outspoken Liberal backbencher Bridget Archer has considered resigning over the party's position on the Indigenous voice.

But like-minded moderate Liberals keep her on the opposition benches as she fights for the party's return as a "credible alternative" to the government.

"Sometimes I do consider (resigning) and then I consider the people in the Liberal Party that share my views ... people that I consider to be like-minded Liberals," she told ABC Radio National.

"I stay because I know that I am not the only person that thinks that way and I stay because I think the Liberal Party is at a crossroads."

Following a two-hour meeting in Canberra on Wednesday, the Liberal Party agreed to support the constitutional recognition of Indigenous people, but not an enshrined voice to parliament and executive government.

Ms Archer said it was another example of the Liberal Party not presenting a credible alternative to government in opposition.

She said she was concerned about Opposition Leader Peter Dutton confirming he would actively support a 'no' campaign on the voice.

"We've already seen warnings from the Racial Discrimination Commissioner about the rhetoric that we're seeing from a 'no' campaign," she said.

"It is going to be an unpleasant and divisive road ahead if that continues ... and we should be seeking to not even want to be adjacent to that sort of language and that sort of posturing.

"That's the problem we face ahead ... in prosecuting a no campaign. How do you do that in a united way and not be divisive? I'm not sure that is possible."

Ms Archer said there was a perception that the Liberal Party was racist and positioning itself adjacent to racist views in the 'no' campaign would enhance that perception among voters.

"There needs to be a commitment from the party, a decision to learn the lessons from the last election quickly to move forward purposefully into the future (and) to evolve," she said.

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