Australian news and politics live: Angus Taylor elected Liberal Leader, Sussan Ley out

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has praised his former opponent, Sussan Ley, after she revealed she was quitting politics.

“She can take pride in the years of dedicated service she has given to her community, our Parliament and our nation.” he said in a statement on X.

“I have spoken with Sussan to wish her the best for her future.”

Sussan Ley’s salary has been slashed by more than $200,000 after losing the Liberal Party leadership.

Ms Ley, the party’s first female leader, was voted out as opposition leader on Friday morning in favour of Angus Taylor.

Until Friday, Ms Ley was making $442,649 per annum, made up of a base salary of $239,270 plus an 85 per cent loading, according to a 2025 decision by the independent Renumeration Tribunal.

Ms Ley now loses her loading, if she is sent to the backbench before her final day.

Senator Jane Hume, who moved from the backbench to become deputy opposition leader, will make an additional $137,580, bringing her total renumeration to $376,850.

Liberal MP Zoe McKenzie has paid tribute to the outgoing leader Sussan Ley after she was toppled by Angus Taylor on Friday morning.

“It has been a big and difficult week for my party, but today, we have a new direction forward,” she said in a post to social media.

“My thanks to Sussan Ley, who has led our Party since the May 2025 election.

“Sussan has led our political movement both as Leader and Deputy Leader with dignity, inclusion, curiosity and hard-work.

“Her story is one of enormous sacrifice, for Farrer, for Liberal values, and for our nation.

“Yesterday I spent some time with her, talking about her future, and mine.

“Her resilience, equanimity, honesty, and rawness were astounding. A lioness leaves our midst, with our gratitude for her grace.”

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull says Angus Taylor is “absolutely not” the answer to the Liberal Party’s problems.

He urges his party to shift back to the political centre, ditch the cultural wars and talk about the economy beyond simple motherhood statements

But he feared the party’s far-right and their cheerleaders in the media would ensure that didn’t happen.

“They had control over Dutton, they burned it to the ground. They’ve now got their man in again with Angus Taylor. Will they do even more damage?” he told ABC TV.

“There’s not a lot left to burn.”

Mr Turnbull also gave a blunt assessment of Mr Taylor’s capabilities, saying, “The curious thing a lot of people say about Angus Taylor is he is the best-qualified idiot they’ve ever met.”

Liberal MP Ted O’Brien has paid tribute to Sussan Ley after announcing her exit from Parliament and avoided directly answering about the party’s relationship with women.

“Look, I can’t tell you about how this moment will be remembered in history,” he said.

“I do think today is an important day, because it just shows democracy at its best.

“Sussan Ley, I paid tribute to her. I have the utmost respect for her. I thank her for her service.”

Liberal MP Ted O’Brien says he would like to continue as Shadow Treasurer after Angus Taylor was named the new Liberal leader.

Speaking after Sussan Ley announced she would leave Parliament, Mr Obrien said he would serve where needed but wanted to remain in the portfolio.

“Yes, I’d like to continue as Shadow Treasurer, but I also respect the fact that that is really a matter for the leader,” he told reporters in Canberra on Friday.

“The leader makes his or her own decisions.

“I respect that absolutely, and I will serve in whatever capacity I can.

“My first and most important loyalty is to… the people of Fairfax. They’re the ones who I represent.”

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has confirmed her party will contest the New South Wales seat of Farrer, which has been held by the departing Liberal leader Sussan Ley for over two decades.

“I want to wish Sussan Ley all the best in her future outside of politics. 9 wins and 25 years in politics is a sign of her resilience in this tough environment,” Senator Hanson wrote on social media.

“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”.

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Angus Taylor, the new Liberal leader, and Jane Hume, the new Liberal deputy leader, have shared a photo on X after securing the votes and ousting Sussan Ley and Ted O’Brien.

“It’s an immense honour to be elected as leader of the Liberal Party. I am looking forward to working with my deputy, Jane Hume to serve the Australian people,” he said.

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Angus Taylor is about to speak following his election as Liberal leader. Stay with us as we bring you his comments.

In a wonderful humanistic moment, former Liberal leader Sussan Ley, who has confirmed she is getting out of politics after 25 years, said she will continue to find wisdom in what punk-rock stands for, a movement close to her heart.

“As some of you know, I was part of the early punk-rock movement in Canberra,” Ms Ley said in Canberra.

“I will continue to find wisdom in one of punk’s defining themes, a fearless and honest belief in yourself.”

Ms Ley delivered an incredibly dignified speech after being ousted from the leadership, refraining from negative comments about Angus Taylor and the Nationals.

Instead, she wished Mr Taylor and the Liberals well.

Ms Ley did say she was glad that she had invested so much time into her love of aviation over the years, saying it was where she learned “if I had an ego, I’d be dead”, something that she says has been “very useful in politics”.

Ms Ley was applauded as she walked away.