Top Liberal’s backers talk down imminent leader threat
Senior Liberals say an imminent move against embattled Opposition Leader Sussan is unlikely, even though a rival is pursuing the candidacy.
Key supporters of Ms Ley acknowledged there was disappointment within the party at the collapse of the coalition for a second time, but insisted there was no appetite for destabilizing change at the top.
“I don’t expect a challenge to the leadership,” Liberal senator Anne Ruston told Sky News on Sunday before politicians returned to parliament.
“Frankly, I believe Sussan Ley has the support of the party room and will remain our leader in the future.”
Ms Ley could face a leadership challenge when Parliament restarts on Tuesday, but that prospect has diminished after West Australian MP Andrew Hastie, a Conservative rival, said he did not have the numbers to compete for the role.
His other main rival, prominent Angus Taylor, has not publicly stated whether he plans to trigger a leak.
Liberal deputy leader Ted O’Brien also poured cold water on the possibility of Ms Ley being sacked, but left the door open to the possibility of a later challenge.
“I don’t believe we’re entering a period of leadership struggle, but I don’t know the future either,” he told ABC’s Insiders program on Sunday.
Leadership speculation was sparked when Mr Hastie, Mr Taylor and MPs from the Liberals’ conservative ranks met in Melbourne on Thursday before the funeral of the late MP Katie Allen.
Mr O’Brien said he did not know what was discussed at the meeting but said the meeting within the party was aimed at frontbenchers stepping aside if they did not support their leaders.
“Angus (Taylor) hasn’t done that, so my assumption is he will continue to support Sussan Ley,” he said.
National leader David Littleproud is facing a leak motion from Queensland MP Colin Boyce on Monday, but the move appears unlikely to succeed and may not gain the support needed to trigger a leadership vote.
Senator Matt Canavan said he believed Mr Boyce was sincere about wanting the coalition to reconvene after the extraordinary divorce sparked by the row over hate crime legislation in which the National Party refused to join its Liberal colleagues.
“I don’t think the leak will increase,” Senator Canavan said, adding that he would not put his name on the Nationals leadership roster.
Mr O’Brien said he hoped the coalition could reunite once the parties’ issues were resolved.
Ms Ley on Friday gave the National Party a week to make compromises before cementing changes to the front bench by swapping shadow cabinet members from the rural party.
“You can’t just come together willingly and hope for the best,” Mr. O’Brien said.
“This is an open door from Sussan Ley. If David Littleproud is ready to come in… I’m sure together they will work out the best approach moving forward.”
Despite describing himself as a “coalitionist”, Senator Ruston said history showed the Liberals could win elections without the National Party.
He said the most important thing for the Liberals was to provide Australians with certainty by presenting a credible opposition.
Negotiations on reforming the coalition have been suspended pending a meeting of the National Party’s leadership party chamber.
Ms Ley appointed an interim shadow cabinet before a permanent front seat was created and the coalition’s split solidified.
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