Independent Liberal (Australia)

Independent Liberal is a description used in Australian politics, often to designate a politician who is a Liberal Party member but not endorsed by the party at elections, or if sitting in parliament, not a member of the Liberal party room. The term has also been used by politicians and political candidates who identify as a liberal, but independent from the party.

The label is often used at local government elections, especially in contests where the Liberal Party does not endorse candidates. However, registering a party or affiliation as an "Independent Liberal" is not permitted in New South Wales under section 64 of the Electoral Act 2017, and the use of the term in electoral material is also considered an offence under section 180 of the act.

As of 2024, the most recent state or federal MP to sit as an Independent Liberal MP was Moira Deeming, who was expelled from the parliamentary Victorian Liberal Party in May 2023 but returned to the party room in December 2024.