wɪð kˈɛnɪt ɹᵻtˈaɪɚɹɪŋ fɹʌm pˈɑːlətˌɪks, dˈɑːktɚ dˈɛniz nˈæpθaɪn, ɐ ɹˈʊɹɹəl ˌɛmpˈiː hˌuː wʌz bᵻlˈiːvd tə bɹˈɪŋ ɐ mˈoːɹ kənsˈɛnsəsstˈaɪl ɐpɹˈoʊtʃ tə lˈiːdɚʃˌɪp, səksˈiːdᵻd hˌɪm æz lˈɪbɚɹəl lˈiːdɚ.
With Kennett retiring from politics, Dr Denis Napthine, a rural MP who was believed to bring a more consensus-style approach to leadership, succeeded him as Liberal leader.