Freedom of speech
Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) (12:45): I joined the Liberal Party on 27 February 1981. I joined because I believe in freedom—in particular freedom of speech. In the 41 years since, every day I have worked for the party that told me it too believed in freedom. All that came to an end this morning when my membership of the parliamentary Liberal Party ended, as did any claim the Victorian Liberal Party had as a supporter of freedom of speech. It is a sad day for me, but it is also a sad day for thousands of members of the Liberal Party across the state. Tragically, the party that I joined is no more. The party of Menzies and Howard is no more. The party of Bolte and Kennett is gone. So many conservatives and libertarians are now right across Victoria without a political home. They look at November not knowing where their vote will go. It is with overwhelming sadness that I have to admit I feel exactly the same way.