Ley says politics been ‘tough, at times’ but she will go forward with ‘punk’ spirit
Sussan Ley doesn’t take any questions from the media, after just announcing that she will leave politics for good.
She says she will spend a few weeks in her electorate before she hands in her resignation to the Speaker, which will trigger a byelection.
She says she’s proud of the party landing its energy policy and the pressure she put on the government to announce a royal commission into the Bondi tragedy.
There is no doubt that it has been a challenging time to leave the party after we suffered the worst defeat in 81 years. It has been tough, at times, very tough, but every sleepless night, every intractable problem, indeed, every personal challenge, has always been put in perspective by my understanding of the burdens that so many ordinary Australians face quietly and without fuss every day.
She also takes a bit of a stab at her colleagues:
It is important that the new leader gets clear air, something that is not always afforded to leaders, but which in the present moment is more important than ever.
But Ley ends on a more upbeat note:
I was part of the early punk rock movement in Canberra, I will continue to find wisdom in one of punk’s defining themes, a fearless and honest belief in yourself.
Sussan Ley says it is important that the new Liberal leader gets ‘clear air’. Photograph: Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 19.34 EST
Key events
Show key events only
Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature
Turnbull says people call Taylor ‘the best-qualified idiot they’ve ever met’
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull says the new Liberal leader, Angus Taylor, must immediately rebuild the party’s credibility on the economy.
Labor passed the Coalition in opinion polling on effective management of the economy under former leader Peter Dutton, when Taylor was the shadow treasurer.
Turnbull told ABC TV people call Taylor “the best-qualified idiot they’ve ever met”.
He said Taylor should get out of the right wing media bubble, led by Rupert Murdoch’s Sky News.
If you’re the Liberal party and you’ve got business reform, tax reform, efficiency reform that you want to propose, you’ve got to get some backers from the business community, from third party endorsements, and they lack that.
They’ve got to stop living in this right wing populist bubble and get back and sound like serious business people wanting to get a better outcome for Australia.
Turnbull said the Liberals should fight for the centre, and not go up against One Nation and Pauline Hanson chasing votes on the right.
If you think you are going to win back people who have gone to Hanson by showing yourself to be even more tough, more anti-immigration than her, that’s a game you can’t win.
They’ve got to get out of that bottle.
Share
Updated at 19.37 EST
Adeshola Ore
NSW police oversight body to investigate response to anti-Herzog Sydney protest
NSW’s independent police oversight body says it will conduct an investigation into the operation at a protest against Isaac Herzog’s Australian visit at Sydney Town Hall on Monday, including “alleged misconduct.”
The police response, which included allegedly grabbing a group of Muslim men while they were praying, has come under heavy criticism in recent days. The state’s police commissioner, Mal Lanyon, has offered a qualified apology, saying the move-on direction was not targeting any religion.
The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission said it had received a significant number of complaints and decided it was in the public interest to launch the investigation:
The Commission will utilise its investigatory powers under Part 6 of the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission Act 2016 to investigate the lawfulness and appropriateness of the conduct of the NSW Police Force and individual officers.
The commission will hold hearings and obtain and review video footage, documents and other information held by NSW police, a statement said.
The commission will complete a report to NSW state parliament about its investigation.
Share
Updated at 19.34 EST
Farrer byelection will be a ‘test’ for Taylor says moderate
Moderate, Melissa Price, who walked in and out of the party room meeting with Sussan Ley, and nominated for the deputy position, says the by-election for Ley’s seat will be a test for Taylor.
She believes the Liberals will be able to win the seat, which Ley won with a 6.2% margin at the last election. But Ley already suffered a huge swing of more than 10% against her at the last election from an independent candidate.
Price says the Liberals will likely face another independent challenge. Independent Helen Haines has already held the neighbouring seat of Indi since 2019. Price says:
Preferences will be super important. But, you know, this is a test, you know, is the results of all this polling, is that going to hold up? But, you know, the Liberals will run a very, very good campaign. I’m quite sure of that. I think we’ll be victorious.
Price is also asked whether Tim Wilson would make a good treasurer, and Price lands quite the blow on him.
He’s certainly got the energy and does he have the credentials? I’m not sure about that, but you know, he’s a hard worker, Tim, he’s a good communicator. but I also think Ted O’Brien’s done a good job as well.
Share
Updated at 19.28 EST
One Nation will contest Farrer byelection
Tom McIlroy
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation has confirmed it will contest the byelection in Farrer, setting up an immediate challenge for new opposition leader Angus Taylor.
Hanson said she wished dumped Liberal leader Sussan Ley well on life outside politics.
“9 wins and 25 years in politics is a sign of her resilience in this tough environment,” she wrote.
“One Nation will be contesting the by election in Farrer with a strong candidate that represents regional NSW, the rural sector, and someone who understands the issues of the Murray Darling and water.
“Our rural communities have long been forgotten by both major parties and are suffering at the hands of Net Zero, increased power prices, a lack of housing and services, immigration, and the decimation of prime agricultural land by city centric policies.”
Share
Updated at 19.28 EST
Angus Taylor says it’s an ‘immense honour’ to be elected Liberal leader
Angus Taylor has released his first social media post as leader, posting a photo with the new deputy, Jane Hume.
We’re still waiting for Taylor to address the media this morning.
He writes, “it’s an immense honour to be elected leader of the Liberal party”.
Share
Updated at 19.14 EST
‘I’m not planning on going anywhere mate’: O’Brien
Ted O’Brien says he has no plans to leave parliament, telling ABC TV “of course” there’s disappointment in not winning, but that he has to trust the judgment of the whole party room.
He’s asked whether a woman should be preselected to replace Sussan Ley who has announced she will leave politics. O’Brien says there should be more women in the party, but won’t endorse choosing a woman specifically for preselection.
While that would be nice, I’m also a creature of the Liberal party, where each rank and file party member has franchise, and so it’ll be up to the local members. I don’t pretend to know who the best candidates might be, whether it be a male or female.
To journalists in the corridor after his interview, O’Brien says he’d like to remain shadow treasurer, but ultimately it’s up to the leader.
He also backs in Jane Hume as the deputy:
I think Jane Hume will be enormously effective and I think we have a depth of talent … I’m actually really proud of her, and she’ll certainly have my support and loyalty as well.
Share
Updated at 19.13 EST
Ley says politics been ‘tough, at times’ but she will go forward with ‘punk’ spirit
Sussan Ley doesn’t take any questions from the media, after just announcing that she will leave politics for good.
She says she will spend a few weeks in her electorate before she hands in her resignation to the Speaker, which will trigger a byelection.
She says she’s proud of the party landing its energy policy and the pressure she put on the government to announce a royal commission into the Bondi tragedy.
There is no doubt that it has been a challenging time to leave the party after we suffered the worst defeat in 81 years. It has been tough, at times, very tough, but every sleepless night, every intractable problem, indeed, every personal challenge, has always been put in perspective by my understanding of the burdens that so many ordinary Australians face quietly and without fuss every day.
She also takes a bit of a stab at her colleagues:
It is important that the new leader gets clear air, something that is not always afforded to leaders, but which in the present moment is more important than ever.
But Ley ends on a more upbeat note:
I was part of the early punk rock movement in Canberra, I will continue to find wisdom in one of punk’s defining themes, a fearless and honest belief in yourself.
Sussan Ley says it is important that the new Liberal leader gets ‘clear air’. Photograph: Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 19.34 EST
Sussan Ley announces she will quit politics within weeks
Ley thanks her family, her supporters, her staff and her deputy, Ted O’Brien, who also lost his position today.
She says she’ll spend the next couple of weeks thanking the people in her electorate of Farrer, before she leaves.
I will be spending the next couple of weeks thanking the amazing people of Farrer and expressing my gratitude to them for the honour of representing them for 25 years.
Shortly thereafter, I will be tendering my resignation to the Speaker. I’m not sure what comes next for me. I look forward to stepping away completely and comprehensively from public life.
When I came here in 2001 my children were eight, 10 and 12. They are now in their 30s with children of their own. They are my greatest gift, and the six little Australians, my grandchildren, remind me that everything we do in this place should always be about the next generation.
Fresh air: outgoing opposition leader Sussan Ley steps outside after the vote. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAPReporters gather for Sussan Ley’s press conference. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPShare
Updated at 19.18 EST
Sussan Ley addresses media after loss, ‘don’t dwell on the disappointment’
Sussan Ley says she feels gratitude to the Liberal party, and thanks those who voted for her in the party room today. She adds that for those who didn’t she doesn’t have hard feelings.
On Angus Taylor, she congratulates the new leader:
When I came to the leadership of the Liberal Party nine months ago, my mother had just died, one of the things she said was, when something ends in sadness, don’t dwell on the disappointment. Be grateful that you had it at all.
I wish Angus Taylor well. I know he has experience, energy and drive. I know the whole team will have what it takes to fight this awful Labor government. I will be cheering them on.
Share
Updated at 18.51 EST
Former Liberal rips into Taylor, saying he has a ‘lack of conviction’
The former Liberal senator Hollie Hughes has not minced her words on Angus Taylor, who is now the opposition leader.
I’d normally describe it as a lack of conviction. There’d be plenty of policy areas where most people can’t tell you, including those in the party room, where Angus stands.
Hughes has beef with Taylor, and has publicly criticised him in the past. Hughes laid blame on Taylor when was relegated to an unwinnable spot on the NSW Senate ticket at the last election, after Taylor backed conservative Jess Collins for the winnable spot.
Speaking to Triple J’s Hack program last night, Hughes went even further saying it was “the end of the Liberal party”.
Former Liberal senator Hollie Hughes in the Senate chamber in 2020. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAPShare
Updated at 18.36 EST
Dan Tehan says Liberals ‘need a serious political manifesto’
After being defeated for the deputy leadership, Dan Tehan pops up on ABC TV and congratulates Angus Taylor and Jane Hume.
On what Taylor will do differently (which is the question on everyone’s lips), Tehan says it’s important for Taylor to have strong “political manifesto” with clear cut policies.
I think we need a serious political manifesto, which is, you know, true to our values, which clearly articulates where we want to take the nation … I have no doubt that anyone who stands for leader of the Liberal party has a very good vision for where they want to take this nation. And I’m not going to get ahead of Angus and Jane.
Tehan, who says he voted for Taylor, says now that the party needs to be united, and pays tribute to Ley’s work as leader:
[I want] to thank Sussan for the herculean task that she undertook and the way that she went about it until the very last end, incredibly dignified. Did it in an incredibly respectful way.
Share
Updated at 18.34 EST
Tony Abbott says next election ‘winnable’ with Taylor
Tony Abbott is no doubt having a good day with close ally Angus Taylor winning the leadership ballot.
Speaking to ABC News following the ballot, Abbott said Taylor was the best person for the job and could win the next election.
On what he thought Taylor would do better, Abbott is somewhat vague and said Taylor had two priorities, one two improve the standard of living, and two to improve the Australian way of life.
The first is that he’s the best person for the job. Second is that everyone should get behind him, because we need to win and be a strong opposition. The Liberal Party remains the best hope and better government in this country. The third point, very important, the next election is winnable.
Share
Labor launches attack ads in response to Taylor’s win: ‘He’s just another Liberal’
Safe to say Labor aren’t complaining that Angus Taylor won the ballot, and Anthony Albanese’s office have immediately released two attack ads against him.
Taylor has had his share of controversies so Labor has a dirt file ready to go.
One of the ads calls him a “left over from the [Scott] Morrison government” and goes:
Taylor was the architect of Liberal policies for higher taxes, bigger deficits, getting rid of work from home, sacking of tens of thousands of frontline workers and a $600bn taxpayer funded nuclear scheme. And Taylor worked from day one to undermine the Liberals’ first female leader.
Allow Facebook content?
This article includes content provided by Facebook. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click ‘Allow and continue’.
Share
Updated at 18.31 EST
Josh Butler
‘Democracy in action’, Liberals say
Liberals are filing out of the party room now. Angus Taylor, the new Liberal leader, walked out of the room and straight across the hall into his parliament office.
Dean Smith said it was an “excellent result”; Andrew McLachlan said it was “democracy in action”. Andrew Bragg would only say “we’re here to help Australians”. McLachlan and Bragg both walked in with Ley and were key backers until the end, and are probably somewhat disappointed by the result.
Many other Liberals are remaining silent on their way out. Ted O’Brien, defeated for the deputy leadership, said he’d have more to say later.
Share
Updated at 18.08 EST
Ley walks out of meeting with her loyal backers
With a similar crew to who she walked in with, Sussan Ley exits the party room flanked by a small group colleagues.
Tim Wilson walks out by himself and tells everyone to get to the Korumburra Agricultural Show, which he says is the “hottest ticket”.
He said the same thing on X a moment ago.
Aaron Violi and Wendy Askew also come back out and clarify again the results of the spill, 34 votes to 17 in Taylor’s favour.
Former opposition leader Sussan Ley leaves the party room. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPLey walks out with her supporters. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAPShare
Updated at 18.11 EST
Taylor has ‘zero credibility on the economy’, Chalmers says
Treasurer Jim Chalmers hasn’t wasted any time getting stuck into the new opposition leader, Angus Taylor.
Chalmers says Taylor was shambolic when the pair were opposite each other before the last election. Chalmers says:
His appointment as leader of the opposition shows the Coalition could not care less about the cost of living or the economy.
He was the architect of their plan for higher taxes for every taxpayer and he went to the election promising bigger deficits and more debt.
Angus has zero credibility on the economy and neither does the bin fire that is the Coalition.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the Coalition is a ‘bin fire’. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAPShare
Updated at 18.03 EST
Josh Butler
Liberals start trickling out of party room
We’re still holding outside the Liberal party room, while the Liberals start trickling out of the room and give us comment on the result.
We’re told Sussan Ley will give some short comments before long, after being defeated in the vote. We also expect Angus Taylor will speak shortly.
Inside the party room, we heard a round of applause shortly after the result was confirmed.
The Liberal MP Tim Wilson is giving us a vibe from inside. Just now he’s posted on X:
In the Party Room. Voting who the next Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party. All [Liberal MP] Mary Aldred can talk about is getting to the Korumburra Agricultural Show. Clearly we ALL need to get to it.
Aldred, the new MP for Monash, made the same comment to us on the way into the building this morning.
Share
Updated at 17.56 EST
Jane Hume wins Liberal deputy leadership
Jane Hume wins 30 votes to 20 against Ted O’Brien with one person again voting informally.
Aaron Violi and Wendy Askew the chief whip and deputy whip announce the results.
Violi says:
This morning, there was a spill motion for the leadership of the Liberal party of Australia. That motion was successful. A ballot was conducted for the leadership. There was two candidates, Sussan Ley and Angus Taylor. And Angus Taylor was successful, 33 votes to 17, and is now the leader.
Violi quickly clarifies that the result was 34 to 17.
Askew adds:
And further to that, I leadership was also declared vacant. We had four candidates, and Senator Jane Hume has been victorious. Thank you very much.
Liberal senator Jane Hume has won the deputy leadership role. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPLiberal party whip Aaron Violi at Parliament House this morning. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAPShare
Updated at 18.00 EST
Things are moving fast this morning, but here’s a look back at some of those Liberals walking into the special party room this morning.
Angus Taylor wins the ballot 34 -17. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPSussan Ley and her supporters arrive together for the Liberal leadership spill. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPLiberal senator Jane Hume arrived with Sarah Henderson and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPShare
Updated at 17.38 EST
