Sussan Ley Confronts Right-Wing Challenge as Liberal-Only Frontbench Looms
Opposition leader Sussan Ley is currently facing a determined campaign from right-wing members within the Liberal Party who are seeking to end her leadership. This internal pressure comes as she prepares to formalise the breakdown of the Coalition by announcing a Liberal-only frontbench within the coming days.
Growing Confidence Among Allies
Despite the mounting pressure, allies of Ley are expressing increasing confidence that she will not face a leadership spill when parliament reconvenes next week. Conservative contenders Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor have yet to declare their intentions, creating uncertainty among those plotting against her.
One senior Liberal MP issued a stark warning to colleagues actively working to overthrow Ley, stating that the party's credibility would be "in tatters" if it appeared to be removing their first female leader at the behest of the Nationals. This sentiment reflects broader support within the party for Ley's handling of the recent split.
The Coalition Breakdown
The current crisis stems from Ley's decision to sack three Nationals senators for crossing the floor on Labor's hate speech laws. This move prompted Nationals leader David Littleproud to declare the Coalition "untenable" under Ley's leadership, leading the Nationals to quit the frontbench and effectively end the Coalition for the second time in eight months.
Many Liberals, including some who have been critical of Ley's overall leadership, support her actions regarding the Nationals. They believe responsibility for the Coalition's collapse rests squarely with Littleproud, who they accuse of showing "complete disregard for the Coalition agreement."
Long-Term Implications
While Ley has left the door open to eventually reuniting with the Nationals, a growing number of her MPs believe the two parties will remain separate for the foreseeable future, particularly if Littleproud remains as Nationals leader. Senior Liberals view the Nationals' breach of shadow cabinet solidarity not as an isolated incident, but as part of a pattern likely to be repeated.
They point to previous instances where the Nationals have front-run policy positions, such as opposing the voice to parliament referendum and abandoning a net zero emissions target, putting pressure on the Liberals to follow suit or risk further splits. "We are not interested in playing these games anymore," one Liberal MP stated bluntly.
Frontbench Reshuffle Plans
Amid speculation that a leadership spill could be called as early as Monday, senior Liberal sources confirm Ley is proceeding with plans to announce a Liberal-only shadow ministry in time for parliament's return. The announcement is expected after Thursday's memorial service for former Liberal MP Katie Allen.
Options under consideration include:
- Assigning the Nationals' former portfolios to existing Liberal frontbenchers
- Promoting backbench MPs to fill the vacant positions
The affected portfolios include agriculture, trade, resources, transport, and veterans' affairs. Meanwhile, Littleproud is reportedly planning to assign portfolios to Nationals MPs as soon as this week.
Leadership Challenge Stalls
The momentum to oust Ley appeared to stall on Tuesday, with Hastie and Taylor yet to agree on which of them would run as the right-faction's candidate. Hastie's supporters want Taylor to step aside, believing the former soldier has sufficient factional backing and broader party room support to defeat Ley.
However, sources indicate Taylor, who narrowly lost to Ley in a post-election leadership ballot, is refusing to let the younger Hastie leapfrog him in the leadership pecking order. This internal division among potential challengers has strengthened Ley's position.
Supporters of the opposition leader were increasingly confident on Tuesday that a challenge would not materialise next week, citing internal support for her handling of the Nationals split and a lack of organisation among those plotting her downfall. "It is just not happening," one MP declared, reflecting the growing belief that Ley will weather this latest storm.
