Sussan Ley's White Power Suit Exit Marks End of 25-Year Political Career
Outgoing Liberal leader Sussan Ley made a powerful sartorial statement as she called time on her quarter-century political career, donning a white power suit in a symbolic nod to the suffragette movement and female solidarity. The veteran politician smiled broadly while approaching the press pack at Parliament House on Friday, just minutes after former shadow treasurer Angus Taylor ousted her as leader in a decisive ballot victory of 34 votes to 17.
A Graceful Exit with Historical Symbolism
Ley began her farewell address by referencing her late mother's wisdom, paying tribute to the woman she has previously credited as her daily inspiration. 'When something ends in sadness, don't dwell on the disappointment. Be grateful that you had it at all,' she told assembled reporters with characteristic grace. 'I leave it for others to judge this period of my leadership, now, and with the passing of time. While I'm sure plenty of people will have plenty to say, I've never sought to influence what other people think of me.'
The belted white suit perfectly complemented Ley's dignified speech, during which she insisted she held 'no hard feelings' toward her parliamentary colleagues. 'The leadership of our party is a gift of the party room, and I respect the decision that they have made,' Ley declared. 'For those who supported me today, I thank you. Your loyalty, your unflinching loyalty, I will always appreciate. For those who did not, I genuinely have no hard feelings.'
International Precedents and Australian Echoes
Ley's fashion choice resonated beyond Parliament House, with ABC's flagship program 7.30 host Sarah Ferguson echoing the white power suit statement on Friday night's broadcast. This sartorial symbolism has deep political roots internationally, where high-profile female politicians including Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama have similarly employed white suits during pivotal career moments.
In 2016, Clinton's white ensembles became political emblems of the suffragette movement, which historically adopted the colour as a symbol of their fight for voting rights. Clinton notably wore white during her final presidential debate against Donald Trump and again at the Democratic National Convention. Fashion designer Ralph Lauren later confirmed he had created the iconic suit, which evolved into a recognized symbol of female power within male-dominated political landscapes.
Back in Australia, former Foreign Minister Julie Bishop famously wore a white Armani pantsuit during her 2019 White House meeting with then-president Barack Obama, prompting the leader to quip: 'How apt - a white suit for the White House.' Bishop later selected a tailored white dress for her final parliamentary speech after resigning as Foreign Minister and announcing she wouldn't contest the next election, reflecting on her groundbreaking twenty-year career including her tenure as the Liberal Party's first female Deputy Leader.
Contemporary Connections and Movement Solidarity
More recently, former Liberal staffer and rape survivor Brittany Higgins wore a $575 belted white dress to the Women's March 4 Justice rally, creating a striking visual contrast against attendees predominantly dressed in funeral black. The 'suffragette white' dress by Reiss was subsequently donated to the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House in Canberra during April 2022.
A spokeswoman for Higgins explained at the time: 'Britt did an in-depth interview with MoAD about the particulars of the dress and the conscious link to honour the suffragette movement, including the history and accessibility of white fabric for women.' Higgins addressed over 5,000 rally attendees, urging all Australians to improve support for sexual violence victims, with her deliberate choice of suffragette white widely interpreted as representing unity, equality, and solidarity.
As Ley concluded her political chapter, she extended well-wishes to her successor: 'I wish Angus Taylor well. I know he has experience, energy and drive. I know the whole team will have what it takes to fight this awful Labor government. I will be cheering them on.' Her white power suit exit thus bookended a significant political career while connecting to a century-long tradition of feminist symbolism through fashion.
