Ex-Liberal MP Takes 10 Percent in First Go, Stands Firm Against Mandates and Net Zero

Russell Broadbent quit the Coalition in opposition to support for COVID mandates.

Russell Broadbent speaks in the House of Representatives in Parliament in Canberra, Australia on Feb. 5, 2018. Michael Masters/Getty Images

Former Liberal MP-turned-independent, Russell Broadbent, says he does not regret breaking away from the Liberal Party, despite not retaining his seat of Monash, which covers eastern Victoria.

New Liberal Party candidate Mary Aldred looks set to have secured the Lower House seat by the weekend, picking up 28,138 votes to the next-nearest Labor Party candidate Tully Fletcher, who had 17,809 votes.