Overview
- Victorian senator Sarah Henderson said Sussan Ley is “losing support” and refused to endorse her, describing the Liberal Party’s state as “dire.”
- Ley declined to respond to the critique and said she is focused on policy, as senior colleagues publicly backed her and likely contenders Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor ruled out a challenge this year.
- Liberals will convene a partyroom meeting on 12 November, a shadow ministry meeting on 13 November, and a joint session with the Nationals on 16 November to settle a position.
- The Nationals have already dumped a net zero by 2050 commitment, and multiple reports suggest Liberals may move away from a formal target as moderates argue to retain the term or strike a compromise.
- The latest Newspoll shows the Coalition primary vote at 24% and Ley’s approval at minus 33, intensifying pressure ahead of next week’s meetings.