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6d ago

Sussan Ley Becomes First Woman to Lead Australia's Liberal Party

Ley pledges a fresh, consultative approach as the opposition rebuilds after a historic election defeat, while internal tensions and policy uncertainty persist.

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Greens Sarah Hanson-Young, Mehreen Faruqi and Larissa Waters (Image: AAP/Lukas Coch, Jeremy Ng, Mick Tsikas)
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Overview

  • Sussan Ley defeated Angus Taylor 29-25 in a leadership ballot, becoming the first woman to lead the federal Liberal Party and serve as Australia's opposition leader.
  • The Liberal Party suffered a historic loss in the May 3 election, now holding just 42 of 150 seats in the Lower House, with Peter Dutton losing his seat as leader.
  • Ley has promised to modernize the party with a consultative leadership style and a focus on reconnecting with voters, particularly women, but has yet to finalize her shadow cabinet or key policies.
  • Deputy leader Ted O’Brien indicated the party’s nuclear energy policy, among others, is under review, emphasizing the need to listen to voter concerns.
  • Ley revealed her mother is in end-of-life care, sharing a personal hardship as she begins her leadership amid skepticism and factional challenges within the party.