Angus Taylor and Andrew Hastie discuss future over dinner amid Sussan Ley’s struggles
Former McKinsey guru Taylor, 59, and lone wolf soldier Hastie, 43, represent different generations. Taylor is a disciple of the Howard era, while Hastie is a national conservative who engages closely with cultural movements and shakes up right-wing politics, often through social media.
Both want to be leaders this term. While Taylor emphasizes to his colleagues his intention to save the party from existential collapse, Hastie has more time on his hands.
Taylor lost to Ley in a tight 29-25 leadership vote in May. He is seen as the safer option and Hastie positions himself as the adult in the room as Price and Joyce leave.
As right-wing critics point out, Taylor was energy minister when Scott Morrison’s government signed up to net zero. Taylor had been weakened by Peter Dutton but, as shadow treasurer, he still bore responsibility for the Coalition’s poor economic presentation at the last election, which could be revealed by the party’s election review expected in December.
Taylor is seen by his critics as sharp but lacking the political X-factor. In contrast, Hastie’s camp described him as a break from the Howard era; he was more willing to embrace arguments around immigration and working-class economic interests, generating greater enthusiasm among voters.
But his excesses, including widely condemned remarks about abortion last week and a repetition of a notorious anti-immigration speech, have frightened colleagues and made the Hastie leadership experiment less likely in the short term.
Timing is an important factor. If Ley breaks up soon – many Coalition MPs still hope he can solve the net zero issue and breathe fresh air – Taylor will benefit. If the leadership becomes vacant in the run-up to the 2028 election, Hastie will have time to prove his seriousness to MPs who question his maturity. Whether Ley is challenged or resigns voluntarily would also make a difference.
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Hastie’s support base is dominated by a small but significant group of young right-wingers. They are mostly out and about and have little contact with Ley or his office, from whom they occasionally throw grenades. Meanwhile, Taylor’s possible supporters play important roles in the current series.
The Moderates and Alex Hawke’s Centre-Right faction control about half the party. NSW moderates, led by Andrew Bragg and Hawke’s group, have been arguing with Taylor for years. There’s a chance they’ll keep Taylor’s nose and back (possibly with a Moderate like Tim Wilson standing in) to keep Hastie out of the leadership.
MPs have recently pointed to factionally unaffiliated deputy leader Ted O’Brien as a dark horse who builds relationships across the divide and keeps his hands clean in the net zero debate.
As one well-placed MP said, the Right faction understands that Ley should be allowed to succeed or fail on his own terms, rather than be dragged along by faceless men in a party already seen as too manly.
“Soon no one will roll anyone over,” they said.
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