Australia news live: Penny Wong flies home after China talks; Liberal brand ‘not fit for purpose’

The foreign affairs minister is on her way back to Australia after a crucial diplomatic mission to rebuild ties with Beijing; internal Liberal party review says it must rebuild grassroots to regain power, report says

The Liberal party brand is no longer “fit for purpose” and has lost its volunteer base on the ground according to an internal review seen by the Australian. The report says that membership numbers have dwindled amid factional battles and it is also expected to conclude that the unpopularity of former prime minister, Scott morrison, was a key factor in May election defeat.

The Australian reports:

A key recommendation, which the report says was fundamental to the party being competitive at the next election, was the resurrection of a volunteer base and grassroots campaign activity. This, it claims, was a major factor in the party’s inability to defend against teal independents who had swamped key Liberal seats with volunteer brig-ades of 1500-2000 people.