Angus Taylor not ‘planning’ leadership challenge to Sussan Ley
A senior Liberal has shut down rumours he is planning to roll leader Sussan Ley as the party remains engulfed in a policy crisis over net zero.
Ms Ley’s leadership is being tested as the Coalition remains fractured over the contentious emissions target, with some Liberal MPs and senators declining to endorse her as leader, while others claim her days are numbered.
Asked about rumours he was planning to oust Ms Ley, opposition defence spokesman Angus Taylor told Today show host Sarah Abo: “Well, that’s just not right.”
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“I’m focused on making sure we’ve got the policies we need coming together to hold this Government to account and to be contestable at the next election, including in defence in my portfolio.”
In May, the Liberal Party was forced to elect a new leader after ousted MP Peter Dutton lost his seat. During that leadership ballot, Mr Taylor lost to Ms Ley 29 to 25 in a vote that lasted less than 15 minutes.
But an end-of-year challenge was “not something (he was) planning”, Mr Taylor said after being asked to categorically rule out the possibility.
“It’s not something I’m focused on.
“I’m focused on making sure Australians have what they need to have an affordable life, a better standard of living and the strength they need in their defence force.”
As Mr Taylor is widely considered an instrumental figure in Coalition’s net-zero policy, the MP was asked whether he was gearing up for a fight in the party room, which is due to finalise an energy policy this week.
“The one thing I can absolutely guarantee you is we won’t be supporting economically destructive and unachievable targets,” Mr Taylor said.
“We won’t be supporting Labor’s failed net zero plan, which has been an absolute disaster, driving up electricity prices, driving up the price of everything for Australians, because energy is the economy and that I can guarantee.”
Mr Taylor wouldn’t pre-empt the outcome of the party room meeting but said he was “very confident” the Liberals would find a solution.
Originally published as Angus Taylor not ‘planning’ leadership challenge to Sussan Ley
