How to Save Australia: A Conversation with Graeme Haycroft.

Australia is at a crossroads. Our institutions are drifting left, abandoning the values that built this nation – courage, conviction, and common sense. The question is urgent: how do we save Australia? In this episode of the Church and State Show, I sit down with Graeme Haycroft, a man with a plan to rescue not just the Liberal Party, but the democratic process itself.

Graeme’s thesis is simple yet profound: the problem isn’t the people, it’s the rules. For decades, the Liberal Party has been hamstrung by a delegate system that empowers small factions and careerists at the expense of grassroots members. The result? Leaders chosen for internal politics rather than national vision, and policies that chase the Greens instead of standing firm on conservative principles. Australians want representation, not compromise – and Graeme argues that reforming party rules is the silver bullet.

Graeme has spent 45 years inside the Liberal Party. He’s seen the rot firsthand. After every election loss, the party blames Christians and conservatives, claiming they’ve been “too Trumpian” and need to embrace climate alarmism and identity politics. But the facts tell a different story: Australians overwhelmingly rejected constitutional change in the Voice referendum, and One Nation’s rise proves there’s a hunger for conviction politics.

So why does the Liberal Party keep moving left? Because the rules allow it. Delegate entitlements are skewed, giving disproportionate influence to groups like the women’s section and young LNP. In Queensland, a well-organised clique can install unqualified candidates simply to gain another delegate vote. It’s not corruption – it’s gaming the system. And it’s killing the party..

Graeme’s answer is refreshingly democratic: scrap the delegate system and let every member vote. For everything. Local candidates, senators, and – most importantly – party leaders. Imagine paying $20 to join and having a direct say in who leads the Liberal Party, both federally and in your state. No more backroom deals. No more MPs choosing leaders for career reasons. Just members choosing the best person for the job.

This isn’t theory. Canada adopted this model and transformed its Conservative Party from near extinction to dominance across the western provinces. With nearly 800,000 members, they’ve proven that grassroots democracy works. Graeme believes Australia can do the same – and he’s launched the Liberal Reform Association to make it happen. Their mission? Change the constitution, reclaim the dream, and restore the voice of ordinary Australians.

This isn’t just about party politics. It’s about the future of our nation. A strong, principled Liberal Party is essential to counter the march of humanism and godless paganism through our institutions. As Christians, we’re commanded to care about the nation we live in. Winning souls for Christ is the ultimate goal, but as Charlie Kirk says, the second most important thing is making sure we can still do the first thing. That means fighting for freedom, democracy, and truth in the public square.

Graeme’s plan empowers you – the average Australian – to take back influence. It’s practical, achievable, and overdue. If we want leaders with backbone, if we want policies rooted in common sense, we must fix the rules. And we must do it now

Dave Pellowe is the founder of 'Church And State', a nationwide ministry equipping Christians to be public salt and light: redeeming the culture and advocating for righteousness in government. Dave teaches Christians how God’s unchanging Word answers all the controversial questions. Specialising in what God says about complex ethical and social issues, Dave Pellowe is a guest speaker at churches, youth groups and Christian schools, TV, radio and podcast interviews and other secular and Christian forums where love of Truth and honest thinking are valued. [more]

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