A leadership ballot for the federal Liberal party will be held on Friday morning after a wave of resignations from the shadow frontbench. Sussan Ley’s leadership has suffered a major blow, with key backer James McGrath resigning to support challenger Angus Taylor.
Taylor confirmed his challenge in a social media video on Thursday, saying “the Labor government has failed and the Liberal party has lost its way”. He called for strong and decisive leadership to provide Australians with clarity and confidence.
Senior conservatives Jonno Duniam and James Paterson resigned at about 10am, joined by Matt O’Sullivan and Claire Chandler. Michaelia Cash also moved her support to Taylor. The coordinated resignations were designed to build pressure on Ley.
Under party rules, a special party room meeting can be requested by two or more Liberal MPs. If a majority supports a spill motion, a secret ballot determines the leader. Both camps admit the numbers are tight, with Taylor having lost the previous ballot 25-29 after the 2025 election.
Ley has not spoken publicly about the challenge but attended question time and posted positive messages on social media. The deputy leadership is also under contest, with Jane Hume emerging as a possible frontrunner under Taylor.
