Moderates (Liberal Party of Australia)
The Moderates, also known as Modern Liberals, Small-L Liberals 'Liberal Left, or The Mods', are a faction comprising the members, supporters and voters of the Liberal Party of Australia who are typically economically, socially and environmentally liberal. Described as centrist, The faction has supported ideologies such as economic liberalism, centrism and cultural liberalism, having a combination of economically liberal and socially progressive views. Since May 2025, the offices of Leader of the Liberal Party and Leader of the Opposition have been occupied by Sussan Ley, who is the first woman to hold either position. She is a member of the Moderates and identifies as a republican, as do many other members of the Liberal Party.
They compete with the Liberal Party's largest and major faction, the National Right. The Moderates receive support from the Centre Right faction under current Leadership.
Geographical base
Moderate Liberals traditionally represent inner-city and wealthy House of Representatives seats or are in the Senate. The Moderates currently have federal representation in four out of five states which they hold seats. Traditionally, the Moderates are strongest in New South Wales and Victoria where they hold most of their representation. However in Victoria, the nominal Moderate faction is not affiliated with those of the other states. The Moderates are the dominant faction in New South Wales and have provided all of the past three Liberal leaders in Tasmania.Membership
Prominent moderates include former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, former Foreign Affairs Minister and former Deputy Leader Julie Bishop, former Defence Minister Christopher Pyne, former Attorney-General George Brandis, and former Liberal-turned-independent MP Julia Banks.Prominent moderates in the Morrison government included Senate leader Simon Birmingham, Marise Payne, Paul Fletcher and Linda Reynolds.
At the state level, four Liberal leaders are from this faction: Kellie Sloane, Jeremy Rockliff, Jess Wilson, and Ashton Hurn. Prominent Moderates in New South Wales include Gladys Berejiklian, Matt Kean, Rob Stokes and Natalie Ward. Prominent Moderates in other states include Georgie Crozier and David Southwick in Victoria; John Gardner, Josh Teague and Tim Whetstone in South Australia; and Peter Gutwein and Will Hodgman in Tasmania.
Current Federal Members
.| Name | Constituency | Current Shadow/Former Government Positions | State/Territory |
| Sussan Ley | Member for Farrer | Leader of the Opposition Former Minister for Sport, Health, Aged Care and Environment portfolios. | NSW |
| Ted O'Brien | Member for Fairfax | Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Treasurer. | QLD |
| Maria Kovacic | Senator for NSW | Shadow Assistant Minister | NSW |
| Anne Ruston | Senator for SA | Deputy Leader of Opposition in Senate, Manager of Opposition Business in Senate, Shadow Minister for Health, NDIS and Sport Former Minister for Families and Social Services. | SA |
| Jane Hume | Senator for VIC | Former Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy, and Women's Economic Security portfolios. | VIC |
| Angie Bell | Member for Moncrief | Shadow Minister for Environment and Youth | QLD |
| Richard Colbeck | Senator for TAS | TAS | |
| Andrew Bragg | Senator for NSW | Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness, and Productivity and Deregulation | NSW |
| Tim Wilson | Member for Goldstein | Shadow Minister for Small Business, and Industrial Relations and Employment | VIC |
| Paul Scarr | Senator for QLD | Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs | QLD |
| Mary Aldred | Member for Monash | VIC | |
| James McGrath | Senator for QLD | Shadow Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities, Brisbane 2032 Olympics, and Shadow Special Minister of State Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate | QLD |
| Dave Sharma | Senator for NSW | Shadow Assistant Minister | NSW |
| Melissa Price | Member for Durack | Shadow Minister for Defence Industry and Defence Personnel Former Minister for Environment | WA |
| Julian Leeser | Member for Berowra | Shadow Minister for Arts and Attorney General | NSW |
| Kerrynne Liddle | Senator for SA | Shadow Minister for Social Services and Indigenous Australians | SA |
Former Federal Members
- John Alexander
- Katie Allen
- Bridget Archer
- Julia Banks
- Julie Bishop
- David Coleman
- Warren Entsch
- Trevor Evans
- Jason Falinski
- Paul Fletcher
- Joe Hockey
- Fiona Martin
- Christopher Pyne
- Malcolm Turnbull
- Jenny Ware
- Ken Wyatt
- Trent Zimmerman
- Simon Birmingham
- George Brandis
- Marise Payne