Angus Taylor Expected to Launch Leadership Challenge Against Sussan Ley
Angus Taylor is anticipated to challenge Sussan Ley for the Liberal leadership within the coming days, as supporters argue that drastic change is necessary following a catastrophic opinion poll and ongoing Coalition turmoil. While no final decision has been confirmed, conservative MPs believe it is only a matter of timing before Taylor initiates a leadership vote this week.
Polling Disaster Sparks Leadership Crisis
The urgency for a leadership spill has intensified dramatically after the latest Newspoll revealed the Coalition's primary vote has plummeted to a historic low of 18%, trailing nine percentage points behind Pauline Hanson's One Nation. This alarming result has prompted internal discussions among Liberal MPs, with many viewing Ley's leadership as untenable since the Nationals leader, David Littleproud, fractured the Coalition over hate speech laws late last month.
Although the two parties agreed to reunite on Sunday, concessions made by Ley have reportedly damaged her credibility, potentially shifting undecided votes toward Taylor. The shadow defence minister had advocated for the reunion, but some MPs now question her standing.
Timing and Political Maneuvering
A leadership spill is considered unlikely on Tuesday due to Liberal senators being absent for estimates hearings, leaving Thursday night or Friday morning as the most probable windows for a special meeting. Taylor would need to resign from the shadow cabinet before supporting a spill motion and contesting the leadership, a move that could reshape the party's direction.
Ley remains defiant, asserting on Monday that her job is secure and dismissing expectations of a spill this week. Her ally, Alex Hawke, expressed confidence in her support among colleagues. However, internal critics like Victorian Liberal Sarah Henderson have labeled the situation "a true crisis", urging immediate action to rebuild public faith.
Factional Dynamics and Potential Outcomes
In the previous post-election leadership ballot, Ley narrowly defeated Taylor 29 votes to 25, backed by a coalition of moderate, centre-right, and unaligned MPs. While moderates largely remain loyal to Ley, the severity of the Newspoll has sparked genuine discussions about salvaging the party's future through a leadership change.
Key figures such as Liberal senator Jane Hume have warned that without urgent change, the party risks being "wiped out". Hume, a moderate who supported Taylor in the last ballot, emphasized the need for strategic shifts, though she is not actively pushing for Ley's removal. Potential deputy leader candidates from the moderate faction include Goldstein MP Tim Wilson and Flinders MP Zoe McKenzie, indicating broader realignments within the party.
As tensions mount, the Liberal Party faces a pivotal moment, with the outcome of any challenge likely to influence its trajectory ahead of future elections. Supporters of Taylor argue that something must change to address the polling collapse and internal discord, setting the stage for a potentially transformative week in Australian politics.
