Leadership on line in Taylor-made move to stitch up Ley
A new Liberal Party leader could soon emerge as Angus Taylor prepares to take on the party’s first female leader at a private party room meeting.
Mr Taylor’s resignation from the front bench of Opposition Leader Sussan Ley on Wednesday signaled the first step in his fight for the party’s top job.
After Liberal MP Phil Thompson resigned from his shadow NDIS portfolio on Thursday, he and Senator Jess Collins wrote to Ms Ley to request a private party room meeting.
The leadership meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday.
Following Mr Thompson’s resignation, Mr Taylor used an Instagram post to announce he would run for the party’s top job.
“Our country is in trouble. The Labor government has failed and the Liberal Party has lost its way,” he said
“I’m running to be leader of the Liberal Party because I believe Australia is worth fighting for.”
Mr. Taylor believes he has the numbers to win the lead.
Nine MPs and senators left Ms Ley’s frontbench on Thursday, including Michaelia Cash, Matt O’Sullivan, Jonno Duniam, Leah Blyth, James Paterson, Claire Chandler, James McGrath and Dan Tehan.
Mr Tehan said at the time of the leak motion that he would run for MP of the party.
Ms Ley has not spoken publicly about the impending leak, instead publishing a series of social media posts in which she suggested a “better future” and said we would “ease the distress”.
While speculation about threats to his tenure begins in late 2025, the Liberals are openly considering a leadership change after a News poll published in The Australian on Monday showed the coalition’s primary vote falling to 18 per cent.
At the same time, support for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation rose to 27 per cent.
Senator O’Sullivan said the polls were clear and change was needed at the top.
“This impasse needs to be resolved this week,” he told reporters in Canberra.
“Angus Taylor will be able to offer a very strong and compelling vision to the Australian people.”
But senator Paul Scarr backed Ms Ley, saying she had shown “great resilience, great grace since she was elected”.
“His response to the Bondi terrorist attack showed great leadership,” he said.
“Sussan has earned my loyalty. I thank her for the opportunity she gave me.”
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