Moderate Liberals Rally Around Embattled Leader
Internal pressure is mounting on Opposition Leader Sussan Ley as senior Liberal moderates publicly declare their support following the Coalition's controversial decision to abandon its commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. The move, confirmed during last week's joint party-room meeting, represents a significant victory for conservative factions within the party who had long opposed the climate target.
Leadership Speculation Intensifies
Factional powerbrokers Senator Anne Ruston and Maria Kovacic took the unusual step of issuing a formal statement on Monday, directly contradicting media reports that moderate MPs might swing their support behind conservative West Australian Andrew Hastie in a potential leadership challenge. The statement, released through Ley's office, described such speculation as "incorrect" and asserted that an "overwhelming majority" of moderate colleagues continue to support Ley's leadership.
Despite this public show of unity, Liberal sources across factional lines believe a challenge to Ley's leadership from either Andrew Hastie or Angus Taylor has become inevitable, though most consider a spill during parliament's final sitting week next week as unlikely.
Gendered Criticism and Policy Fallout
Ley addressed the ongoing leadership rumours during a series of radio interviews on Monday, suggesting that gender has played a role in the persistent doubts about her capabilities. "I've been underestimated a lot of my life," the trained pilot told 2GB radio. "I remember when a lot of blokes told me I couldn't fly an aeroplane and did a lot to keep me out of the front seat."
The internal turmoil follows the Coalition's adoption of a new energy policy that has deeply divided the party. Moderate Liberals who fought to retain the net zero commitment are particularly furious about aspects of the final policy, including a proposal to allow the capacity investment scheme to underwrite coal-fired power projects, a significant expansion from its current limitation to renewables and storage.
During Sunday's joint partyroom meeting, multiple Liberals pressed shadow energy minister Dan Tehan for clarity on how to respond to voter questions about whether the Coalition plans to fund coal projects. Sources present described Tehan's responses as evasive, leaving some MPs despondent about the policy's electoral viability.
The political damage appears to be mounting, with a new poll released on Monday showing the Coalition's primary vote has slumped to a record low of 24%. Nevertheless, Ley remains defiant, telling reporters: "We had a leadership ballot in the Liberal party room six months ago. I'm the leader and I'm working hard every day to deliver a serious, compelling policy agenda."
