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TheModerates,^[1][2][3] also known asModern Liberals,^[4][5]Small-L Liberals^[6]Liberal Left,^[7] orThe Mods,^[8] are afaction comprising the members, supporters and voters of theLiberal Party of Australia who are typically economically, socially and environmentally liberal.^[9][10][11] Described ascentrist,^[7][12][13] The faction has supported ideologies such aseconomic liberalism,centrism andcultural liberalism, having a combination of economically liberal andsocially progressive views. Since May 2025, the offices ofLeader of the Liberal Party andLeader of the Opposition have been occupied bySussan Ley, who is the first woman to hold either position. She is a member of the Moderates and identifies as arepublican, as do many other members of the Liberal Party.^[14][15]

They compete with the Liberal Party's largest and major faction, theNational Right. The Moderates receive support from theCentre Right faction under current Leadership.^[14]

Moderate Liberals traditionally represent inner-city and wealthyHouse of Representatives seats or are in theSenate.^[16] The Moderates currently have federal representation in four out of five states which they hold seats^{[17][circular reference][18][circular reference][19][circular reference][20]}.^{[circular reference]} Traditionally, the Moderates are strongest inNew South Wales andVictoria where they hold most of their representation. However inVictoria, the nominal Moderate faction is not affiliated with those of the other states. The Moderates are the dominant faction inNew South Wales and have provided all of the past three Liberal leaders inTasmania (all of whom served asPremier).^{[21][circular reference]}

Prominent moderates include former Prime MinisterMalcolm Turnbull,^[22] former Foreign Affairs Minister and former Deputy LeaderJulie Bishop,^[23] former Defence MinisterChristopher Pyne,^[24] former Attorney-GeneralGeorge Brandis,^[25] and former Liberal-turned-independent MPJulia Banks.^[26]

Prominent moderates in theMorrison government included Senate leaderSimon Birmingham,^[27]Marise Payne,Paul Fletcher andLinda Reynolds.^{[28][non-primary source needed]}

At the state level, four Liberal leaders are from this faction:Mark Speakman (theNew South WalesOpposition Leader),^[29]Jeremy Rockliff (the currentTasmanianPremier),^[30]Jess Wilson (theVictorian Opposition Leader),^[31] andVincent Tarzia (theSouth AustraliaOpposition Leader). Prominent Moderates in New South Wales includeGladys Berejiklian (the 45thPremier of New South Wales),^[32]Matt Kean (the faction's leader in New South Wales and former deputy leader of the party),^[33]Rob Stokes (a former Cabinet minister)^[34] andNatalie Ward (the party's deputy leader in New South Wales).^[35] Prominent Moderates in other states includeGeorgie Crozier andDavid Southwick in Victoria;^[36]John Gardner,Josh Teague (current South Australian Liberal deputy leader) andTim Whetstone inSouth Australia;^[37][38] andPeter Gutwein andWill Hodgman in Tasmania (who both served asPremier).^[39][40]

As of 10 October 2025^[update].^[3]

• Centrism in Australia
• Liberalism in Australia
• Liberal Party of Australia factions

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