Parties hone attacks after Liberals change leader

While the National Party praised its coalition partners for turning the party around, Labor wasted little time in launching attacks on new Opposition Leader Angus Taylor.

Mr Taylor defeated Sussan Ley by 34 votes to 17 in the leadership spill on Friday, ousting the Liberals’ first female leader just nine months after taking the top job.

Minutes after the leadership change, the federal government launched online attack ads criticizing Mr Taylor’s past as a minister and shadow treasurer.

Federal Minister Murray Watt said the leak would not do much good for the coalition.

“The Liberal Party has completely lost touch with the vast majority of Australians and the things they care about,” Senator Watt told reporters in Sydney. he said.

“There is no evidence to date that Angus Taylor has found solutions to these challenges.”

Finance Minister Jim Chalmers said Mr Taylor’s record was a mess.

“Angus has zero credibility on the economy and the coalition doesn’t set fire to the trash,” he said.

Just days after Ms Ley’s coalition was re-formed, National Party leader David Littleproud said Mr Taylor would be the right person to lead the opposition back into government.

“Angus is the leader Australia needs to fight against Labour’s reckless spending and ideology,” he said.

“Angus can offer hope to eager Australians and those struggling to break into the housing market.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has not commented on Mr Taylor taking over the leadership, paid tribute to Ms Ley.

“I congratulate Susan Ley for her grace and dignity on a very difficult day,” he said.

“He can be proud of his selfless service to our community, our parliament and our nation.”

Ms Ley announced she would resign from parliament in the coming weeks after losing the leadership, triggering a by-election in the NSW seat of Farrer.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson said her party will field a candidate in the upcoming by-election.

The right-wing party is on the rise in opinion polls, leaving the coalition behind in the primaries.

“(The Liberals) have changed the leader, but they’re still on a dead horse,” Senator Hanson told reporters Friday.

“The people are fed up. They are hurting and they want strong leadership.

“They want to know where politicians and political parties stand.”