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Liberal Party Faces Leadership Contest Following Unprecedented Election Defeat

Sussan Ley serves as acting leader as the party navigates deep divisions and awaits final seat tallies to elect a new leader.

A bare stage with the liberal party logo and colours
The process for the Liberal Party to choose a new leader is straightforward, although some experts do not expect it to be smooth for the party.
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Overview

  • Peter Dutton became the first opposition leader in Australian history to lose his seat, marking the Liberal Party's worst electoral loss with at least 13 seats lost.
  • Sussan Ley, the deputy leader, has been appointed acting Opposition leader while the party prepares for a leadership vote.
  • Potential candidates to succeed Dutton include Angus Taylor, Andrew Hastie, Dan Tehan, and Ley herself, though none have formally declared their candidacy.
  • Factional divides between the conservative and moderate wings are expected to influence the leadership contest, reflecting broader ideological struggles within the party.
  • The leadership vote will be scheduled once final seat counts are confirmed, potentially delaying the process by up to two weeks.