--- title: The Contemporary Liberal Party needs to Inspire Optimism description: Australians yearn for an optimistic and hopeful national narrative image: https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Victor%20Portrait%20Smile%20by%20Tony%20Harding.jpg --- ###### [Check out Our latest insights on Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog) [![Centre for Optimism_Logo](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Centre%20for%20Optimism_Logo.svg)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com?hsLang=en) - [Home](https://www.centreforoptimism.com) - [Subscribe](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/subscribe) - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - [The Optimism Principle](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/theoptimismprinciple) - [Need Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/services-and-workshops) - [The Optimism Workshop](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/workshop) - [Victor Perton - That Optimism Man](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/victorperton) - [Magnetic Optimism for Organisations](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/magnetic-optimism-workshops) ![Close Icon (3)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Close%20Icon%20(3).svg) ![Search (2)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Search%20(2).svg) ###### [Liberal Party](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/liberal-party) , ###### [Australian Liberalism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/australian-liberalism) # The Contemporary Liberal Party needs to Inspire Optimism "I believe the great battle that's taking place in the world isn't between left and right. It's between cynicism and optimism," said musician Michael Franti.  In "The Negatives of Positive Education" (The Age 6/4), Matthew Bach surprises us with an attack on positive education as neoliberal "snake-oil."  Never before have I seen a Liberal describe the best-selling optimistic writings of Norman Vincent Peale as "rubbish" and optimist Ronald Reagan “retrograde” in honouring Peale's work. [(Read Quotes on Optimism from The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/normanvincentpeale?hsLang=en) Positive education fosters optimism, positive emotions, character strengths, resilience, mindfulness, and well-being equipping our children for opportunity and innovation in a rapidly changing world.  Victorian education is pretty good. Could it be better? Yes and more positive education would help.  Prime Minister Albanese launched "the voice" question, [calling on the fundamental optimism of the Australian people.](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/anthonyalbanesefundamentaloptimsim?hsLang=en)  Australians yearn for an optimistic and hopeful national narrative.  Infectiously optimistic Liberal leaders Deakin, Menzies and Hamer won the trust of Victorians.  The contemporary Liberal Party needs to inspire liberal fundamental optimists to action to win government.  As the House of Commons leader, Penny Mordaunt, wrote, "The faultline in politics at the moment is not between left and right but between optimists and pessimists. We need optimists for the next tough shift." [![Read our "Framing an Optimistic National Narrative"](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/a8a90ac5-98c3-465a-a6f1-e4bbd3621463.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/a8a90ac5-98c3-465a-a6f1-e4bbd3621463) [Written by Victor Perton](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/author/victor-perton) ##### Keep up to date with the latest from Centre for Optimism ##### We appreciate any contribution you can make to help us spread optimism with the world [![Give Today](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/daed54ec-1173-4b99-9390-e69152e87436.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/daed54ec-1173-4b99-9390-e69152e87436) #### Here are some similar articles ###### [Liberal Party](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/liberal-party) , ###### [Australian Liberalism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/australian-liberalism) #### [Optimism is Power: Australian Liberalism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/optimism-is-power-australian-liberalism?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/optimism-is-power-australian-liberalism?hsLang=en) ###### [Australia](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/australia) , ###### [United Nations](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/united-nations) , ###### [Liberal Party](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/liberal-party) , ###### [Australian Liberalism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/australian-liberalism) #### [Children, Faith, and Opportunity: The Optimism of Benson Saulo](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/benson?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/benson?hsLang=en) ###### [Australian Leadership](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/australian-leadership) , ###### [Liberal Party](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/liberal-party) , ###### [Australian Liberalism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/australian-liberalism) , ###### [Podcast](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/podcast) #### [Optimism and the Servant Leader: A Conversation with Brad Rowswell](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/brad?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/brad?hsLang=en) ## Connect With Us ##### We love to connect with everyone who is ready to open up and share their optimisim. - [![Facebook 2](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Center%20of%20Optimism%20Assets/Facebook%202.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/optimistsvoices/) - [![instagram (6)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/instagram%20(6).svg)](https://www.instagram.com/centreforoptimism/?hl=en) - [![linked in 2](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/linked%20in%202.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/centreforoptimism/) - [![youtube (3)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/youtube%20(3).svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFd4GnToz3WLasQSfsz_z8w) - [![twitter](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/twitter.svg)](https://twitter.com/Centre4Optimism) #### Keep up to date with the latest from The Centre for Optimism ##### Contact Us Call Us: [+61 417 217 241](tel:+61%20417%20217%20241) (Australia) PO Box 5081, Garden City, Victoria 3207, Australia ##### [The Centre for Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com?hsLang=en) - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - Why be Optimistic? 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