Liberals shut down leadership spill speculation as Sussan Ley locks in party support
A Liberal frontbencher has predicted how the first sitting fortnight will go for Sussan Ley amid murmurs of a leadership challenge.
Sussan Ley will not face a leadership challenge, a Liberal frontbencher has declared, despite conservative forces vying to topple her.
Following the Coalition’s split in January, conservative leadership aspirants Angus Taylor and Andrew Hastie emerged as likely challengers.
Mr Hastie publicly backed down on Friday, posting on social media “it is clear that I do not have the support needed to become leader of the Liberal Party”.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Mr Taylor, who serves as opposition defence spokesman, has not yet publicly ruled out a tilt, but fellow shadow cabinet member Anne Ruston said on Sunday Ms Ley had the support of frontbenchers and the wider party room.
“I don’t expect a challenge to the leadership at all,” Senator Ruston told Sky News, adding that the party was more “focused” on a potential rate rise next week.
She went on to say “there’s obviously been speculation, but I, quite frankly, believe entirely that Sussan Ley has the support of the party room and that she will remain our leader into the future”.
Asked whether Mr Taylor should resign from his shadow posting, Senator Ruston did not say one way or the other.
But she did say it was good for colleagues to have ambition.
“I always welcome my colleagues having ambitions to make sure that our party has leadership opportunities into the future,” she said.
“But right now, the leader is Sussan Ley, and I think everybody’s been quite clear on the frontbench that they support the leader and we just need to get on with the job.”
More to come...
Originally published as No Liberal leadership spill in first sitting fortnight, frontbencher says
