Councillor Nik Lipovac parts ways with Liberal Party

PORT Macquarie-Hastings councillor Nik Lipovac has confirmed he is no longer a member of the Liberal Party, announcing he will once again serve as an Independent.

“I’ve decided not to renew my Liberal Party membership,” Mr Lipovac said.

“Frankly, I’m too progressive and my views don’t necessarily align with just one political party.”

While a member of the Liberal Party, Mr Lipovac was never admitted to the local branch, with concerns raised about whether his views and behaviour on council were consistent with the more conservative views held by many branch members at the time.

Although not a party endorsed candidate, Mr Lipovac was a member of the Liberal Party during the 2024 local government elections and received strong support from former state MP Leslie Williams and her successor Rob Dwyer.

Mr Lipovac acknowledged them in his announcement.

“I appreciate the endorsement from former local Member Leslie Williams and the guidance provided by Terry Sara, and I will continue to wholeheartedly support the current Local Member Rob Dwyer who I have known for more than 20 years.”

The councillor’s relationship with the Liberal party was the focus of attention during the recent Federal Election, when he was seen publicly supporting the Independent candidate for Cowper, Caz Heise.

Ms Heise was running against Pat Conaghan of the Nationals, the Coalition partner of the Liberal Party.

Mr Lipovac shared disappointment about what he describes as a lack of communication and support from the local party organisation.

“I can’t hide my disappointment by the lack of communication and assistance from some members of the local branch in the past which was also a major factor in my decision.”

That statement has drawn criticism from several former party members, who argue that Mr Lipovac’s public commitment to not always adhere to party policy was a reason why he lacked support.

Some have gone further, suggesting he was never genuinely considered a Liberal by the local base, and that his membership was viewed as an opportunistic ploy to take advantage of the party’s brand and resources.

“It was never going to work for him in the branch, you cannot be a Liberal but then go off and disparage your federal Coalition partner like that,” one former branch member said.

“Where was his loyalty?”

As a councillor, Mr Lipovac has often positioned himself as not being afraid to speak up, and his return to independent status may allow him to more freely express those views without the limitations of party alignment.

By Luke HADFIELD