The Liberal defector Julia Banks, who failed in her attempt to return to parliament as an independent on Saturday, has lashed her political “haters” while decrying the “tribalism and toxic culture” of her former party.
Banks, who tried to unseat the Liberal frontbencher Greg Hunt in the Victorian seat of Flinders, has criticised a culture of bullying within the party, which she quit after Malcolm Turnbull was dumped as leader in 2018.
Congratulating the Coalition on its victory on Wednesday, Banks commended the party’s economic credentials but took aim at the conservative faction for dragging the party to the right.
“My hope is that the right wing conservative faction don’t continue to drown out addressing the climate change emergency nor the Australian ethos of equality for all and humanitarian spirit,” Banks said, adding that she had been attacked by elements of the party after she defected to the crossbench.
“Sadly, the tribalism and toxic culture continued. The reprisals and retribution, whispering campaigns, personal attacks and name calling, social media rants, messages and emails from the puerile to the offensive and defamatory allegations and lies were unrelenting. I knew what to expect but was never going to let fear of this stand in my way.
“To those in the Liberal Party including some current and former members of parliament who engaged in this behaviour, I say this: You don’t own me – you never did. And I don’t ‘owe a debt to you’.
“It’s a free country for people to run for office and to advocate for what they believe in. To the haters generally whose disturbing behaviour adds to the toxic political culture, I say this: Stop.”
But Banks praised the “authentic and inspiring leadership” of Turnbull and said it had been an “honour” to serve under him and his deputy, Julie Bishop.
After being elected for the Liberal party for the Victorian seat of Chisholm in 2016, Banks chose to run at the 2019 election for the seat of Flinders, in what was seen as an act of retribution for Hunt’s role in Turnbull’s removal as leader.
With almost 80% of the vote counted, Banks has been able to secure about 14% of the primary vote, denting Hunt’s 7% margin by only about 1.5%.
