Secret figures show Liberal party’s ageing membership in freefall in NSW and Victoria

Exclusive: Sources reveal closely guarded membership numbers as average age hits 68 in Victoria

• Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast

The Liberal party's ageing membership is in freefall in Australia's two most populous states, according to multiple party sources, with one claiming their branch's biggest expense in recent years has become funeral wreaths".

The Liberals were decimated in major cities at the federal election, losing the Victorian seats of Menzies and Deakin as well as Banks and Hughes in Sydney and possibly Bradfield, where the electoral commission is conducting a recount. The story in the other capitals was no better.

Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email