traditions. Mill and Burke are interwoven into the history and the practice and the experience of our political party. Federal "small-l liberals", such as Joe Hockey and Malcolm Turnbull were Cabinet ministers in the Howard government. Christopher Pyne , George Brandis and Bruce Billson served in the outer ministry. In 2018, members of this grouping made up the substantial majority of senior cabinet and ministry positions in the government of small-l liberal Turnbull. At the state level, "small-l liberals" have substantial influence particularly in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. The Democrats, fractured under the leadership of Cheryl Kernot and Natasha Stott Despoja, moved to the left. Party leader Meg Lees formed the more avowedly centrist Australian Progressive Alliance in 2003. In 2002, Tasmanian Liberal candidate Greg Barns was disendorsed following comments opposing Government action taken over the Tampa affair. Barns joined the Australian Democrats, with the view of returning a strong liberal platform to the party. Timeline From Protectionist Party and Free Trade Party to (Commonwealth) Liberal Party 1880s: The Protectionist Party and Free Trade Party are formed. 1906: The Free Trade Party is renamed the Anti-Socialist Party. 1908: The Protectionists and Anti-Socialists merge into the Commonwealth Liberal Party (The Fusion). From Commonwealth Liberal Party and ALP dissidents to Nationalist Party of Australia 1916: The Australian Labor Party (ALP) expels Billy Hughes and others. They form the National Labor Party 1917: The National Labor Party merges with the Commonwealth Liberal Party to form the Nationalist Party of Australia. From Nationalist Party of Australia and ALP dissidents to Liberal Party of Australia 1929: Billy Hughes and others are expelled from the Nationalist Party of Australia. In 1930 they form the Australian Party. 1932: The Nationalist Party joins with the Australian Party and several ALP dissidents led by Joseph Lyons to form the United Australia Party. 1944: The United Australia Party merges with the Australian Women's National League and several other groups to form the Liberal Party of Australia. From Australian Women's National League to Liberal Party of Australia 1904: The Australian Women's National League is founded. 1945: The Australian Women's National League becomes part of the Liberal Party. From state farmers' parties to National Party of Australia Early 1900s: State farming organisations form, including Victorian Farmers Union and Farmers and Settlers Association of Western Australia. 1913: Country Party founded by the WA organisation. 1917-1919: Other state farmers' parties