Is Elizabeth Lee the reset the Canberra Liberals desperately needed? Political reporter BELINDA STRAHORN talks to the new Opposition Leader.

ELIZABETH Lee’s appointment as the new Liberals’ leader, in the aftermath of a shocking election loss, demonstrates a clear break from the past and the party’s willingness for rejuvenation.

Days after being voted Opposition Leader, Ms Lee, 41, has opened up about the recent election defeat that saw the Canberra Liberals lose two seats and suffer a three per cent swing against them.

“When it started to become clearer that we hadn’t achieved what we’d set out to do, I went into shock,” Ms Lee says.

“It’s soul destroying and heartbreaking when you put your entire life, blood, sweat and tears into achieving something and you don’t, it’s absolutely devastating.”

Ms Lee, a moderate, succeeded former conservative leader Alistair Coe,  who didn’t recontest his position in the post-election leadership ballot.

Under no delusion that the challenges she faces are “herculean” in nature, the new leader is confident she has what it takes to lead a “refreshed” Canberra Liberals.

“We set out to win and we didn’t, that’s something we need to accept and learn from, we need to have a good, thorough look at ourselves, warts and all,” Ms Lee says.

Humbled by her colleagues’ decision to install her as leader, Ms Lee’s appointment is groundbreaking for many reasons.

It’s the first time the party has put its faith in a woman leader since Kate Carnell, some 20 years ago.

Ms Lee, along with her new deputy Giulia Jones, are the first female duo to lead a party in ACT politics.

Perhaps of most significance, Ms Lee’s elevation to leader is a huge personal achievement for a first-generation Australian woman of Korean background.

“I have never seen a face that looks like mine in Australian politics,” she says.

“When you grow up in that kind of culture it’s difficult to dream and have ambitions for yourself, so if I can do my small part in inspiring other young Asian Australians to pursue a role in politics, that’s a special thing.”

As the highest-polling Liberal (and only one elected) in Kurrajong, Ms Lee has long been tipped as a potential party leader. 

Last year she was considered, by some, as a replacement for Mr Coe as leader, ahead of the 2020 election.

Working with two former leaders in Mr Coe and Jeremy Hanson, it remains to be seen if she has what it takes to lead a united party.

Although Ms Lee remained tight lipped about shadow portfolios, she didn’t rule out Mr Coe and Mr Hanson playing significant roles.

“Their talents are huge, we need those talents, not just for the Liberals but also for ACT politics and the Canberra community,” Ms Lee says.

Perhaps the ex-gym instructor’s biggest challenge yet, is to regain the confidence of ACT voters who rejected the party’s policy agenda earlier this month, delivering the Liberals a sixth straight election loss.

“I want to make sure we put our best foot forward in terms of showing the Canberra public that we are a genuine, viable and better alternative government.”

A busy mum to 16-month-old daughter Mia and wife to public servant husband Nathan, Ms Lee’s family migrated to Australia from South Korea in 1986 when she was seven.

Moving to Canberra to study law at the ANU, Ms Lee was elected to the Assembly in 2016. 

Her parents’ hard-working and selfless example instilled in her a strong value of family and community service, she says.

“My parents left behind their language, family and culture and moved to a country where they knew no one, they sacrificed a lot so my sister and I could have a better life,” she says.

While Ms Lee’s political role models are drawn from across the political divide namely Julie Bishop, Julia Gillard and Natasha Stott Despoja, her biggest idol is her father.

“Dad worked in construction in Sydney in the 1980s and was the only Asian man that most of his fellow construction workers had ever met,” she explains.

“Because his English was so poor he didn’t understand that his colleagues were making fun of him and making racist jokes about him.

“I am forever grateful that he didn’t let those negative experiences colour the way he saw Australia.

“He taught us if someone is rude or racist, it’s only that person, don’t ever judge anyone else by those negative comments.”

Some 40 years on, Ms Lee has had to contend with her fair share of derogatory comments and racist attitudes.

“While my race doesn’t define me, it’s a big part of me that I can’t change and I would hope people would see me for my contribution to public life, but it would also be unrealistic to think that it doesn’t play a role,” she says.

“Every time little comments are made it’s just another reminder that we don’t always fit in, we are not quite accepted.”

Something this ex-commercial litigation lawyer would like to change.

“Being a mother has sharpened my focus on what kind of world I want my daughter, Mia, to live in,” she says.

“I’m doing this because I want to create a better world for her and her generation.”