Analyst: Hill-Lewis' bid for DA top job hinges on ability to adapt to coalition politics

Political analyst Steven Friedman says Geordin Hill-Lewis' bid for DA federal leader will hinge on how well he adapts to coalition politics.

Hill-Lewis confirmed he'll contest the top position at the party’s congress in April.

He's positioned himself as a candidate focused on renewal and strengthening the organisation ahead of upcoming electoral battles.

Friedman said Hill-Lewis's success will depend on whether he's adjusted to the realities of coalition governance.

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He said if Hill-Lewis envisions the DA as an assertive party operating effectively within coalitions, his chances of success are good.

However, Friedman added that much will depend on whether Hill-Lewis has realistic expectations about what he can achieve in the position...

"If he still harvests this view, which he once held, that unless the DA is governing on its own then you don't have a desirable situation, he's going to find himself dealing with a whole lot of realities which he's not prepared for and which he hasn't developed a strategy for."