Sussan Ley Confronts Leadership Crisis as Angus Taylor Plots Challenge
Sussan Ley did not encounter a formal spill motion during the Liberal party room meeting on Tuesday morning, yet speculation is intensifying that a leadership challenge led by Angus Taylor is imminent later this week. The opposition leader issued a stark warning to her colleagues, declaring that "disunity is death," as internal tensions reach a boiling point within the party ranks.
Internal Dissent and Closed-Door Confrontations
At the closed-door gathering, Victorian backbencher Jane Hume directly confronted Ley, demanding a clear plan to reverse the party's declining fortunes. This followed Hume's earlier warning that the Liberals risked being "wiped out" without a significant shift in direction. Hume, a moderate who previously supported Taylor in last year's leadership ballot, has strained relations with her factional allies and was removed from the shadow cabinet as a result.
Her presence at the meeting, alongside some upper house MPs despite estimates hearings, underscored the growing unrest. Ley's response, emphasizing the perils of disunity, was noted by two Liberal MPs in attendance, highlighting the fragile unity within the party.
Angus Taylor's Calculated Move and Support Base
Supporters of Angus Taylor are confident that the 59-year-old shadow defence minister has secured sufficient backing to launch a successful leadership bid this week. They argue that Ley's position has become untenable, particularly after the latest Newspoll revealed the Coalition's primary vote has plummeted to 18%, trailing nine percentage points behind One Nation.
Anticipation is building that Taylor may resign from Ley's frontbench as early as Wednesday afternoon, paving the way for a challenge by Friday morning. However, senior conservatives caution that the exact timing remains uncertain, adding to the atmosphere of suspense.
Ley's Defiance and Factional Dynamics
Despite the mounting pressure, Sussan Ley is steadfast in her refusal to step aside voluntarily. Her allies express skepticism about Taylor's claimed numbers, while senior moderates continue to back her leadership. These moderates are resisting any deals with Taylor to facilitate her departure, forcing him to court centre-right and unaligned MPs to gather the necessary support.
The party room composition has shifted since Ley narrowly defeated Taylor 29 to 25 in the 2025 leadership ballot. Ley has lost key supporters such as Hollie Hughes, Linda Reynolds, and Gisele Kapterian, whereas Taylor has gained an additional ally in Jess Collins, who replaced Hughes in the senate.
Broader Political Reactions and Implications
Prominent figures within and outside the Liberal Party have weighed in on the unfolding drama. Andrew Bragg, a moderate powerbroker and frontbencher, publicly affirmed his support for Ley on ABC's RN Breakfast. Conversely, Jonno Duniam, a senior right-winger, urged Taylor to clarify his intentions, stating that if a leadership change is sought, it should be openly declared.
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull echoed this sentiment, recalling his own challenge against Tony Abbott in 2015 and advocating for transparency. On the Labor side, senior minister Tanya Plibersek criticized the Liberals for not giving Ley a fair chance, lamenting the chaos and infighting that she described as unprecedented in her political experience.
Plibersek emphasized the importance of a strong opposition for Australian democracy, noting that the current focus on internal conflicts undermines this role. As the Liberal Party grapples with this leadership turmoil, the outcome could significantly impact its electoral strategy and public perception moving forward.
