Ley down but not out as Lib challengers jostle for tilt

Sussan Ley is expected to continue her role as opposition leader for at least another week as Conservative agitators try to unite around a single candidate.

Liberal frontrunner Angus Taylor and backbencher Andrew Hastie are seen as the two most likely replacements for Ms Ley, who critics say has presided over a steady decline in opinion polls and failed to lead properly.

But despite secret talks to reach a compromise at a house in suburban Melbourne on Thursday, neither man appears willing to budge.

Ms Ley’s supporters believe she has the numbers to maintain the lead for now, as the Conservative vote will be split while both MPs remain in the race.

Mr Taylor unsuccessfully ran against Ms Ley for the party leadership after the coalition’s disastrous federal election result in May.

Supporters of Mr Hastie, a former SAS soldier who served as the opposition home affairs spokesman until he moved to the backbench to speak more freely on immigration issues, claim loudly that he has the numbers to win.

Ms Ley’s team strongly opposes this proposal.

Parliament will return next week, at a time when tensions within the Liberals are expected to rise.

While Mr Hastie’s side hopes to unseat the opposition leader on Monday or Tuesday, the ongoing divide over who should challenge for the post looks likely to delay any leaks.

Sources confirmed to AAP that a vote next week is unlikely; but if a compromise candidate is agreed upon, the challenge can move quickly.

Liberal backbencher Ben Small boosted leadership speculation by nailing his colors to the mast by declaring his support for Mr Hastie on Thursday.

“Australia does best when it has a good government and a strong opposition. At the moment we have neither,” he told AAP.

“Generational change is key to reconnecting with voters who have stopped listening to the Liberal Party, but I need to be clear – changing salespeople alone will not work.

“The Liberal Party needs to speak clearly again, without fear of what we believe in.

“I have come to the considered view that Andrew Hastie is the right person to lead the Liberal Party if the leadership opportunity arises.”