Sussan Ley becomes first female leader of the Federal Liberal Party after ballot

Sussan Ley has made history to become the first female leader of the Federal Liberal Party after a ballot of MPs in Canberra on Tuesday morning.

Ms Ley defeated Angus Taylor 29 votes to 25 in the contest to be Opposition leader, taking the place of Peter Dutton after he lost his seat of Dickson at the May 3 election.

The 63-year-old had been the party’s deputy leader for the past three years and has previously served as minister for health, aged care and environment.

Mr Taylor said Ms Ley’s election was a milestone for her and the party and called on colleagues to unify.

“The Liberal Party has a proud history and I firmly believe in its future,” he said.

“I will contribute the best way I can to help get us back in the fight.

“It is crucial that Australia has a strong and competent Opposition to hold this Labor Government to account.”

Ted O’Brien was elected as her deputy in a 38-16 contest against Phil Thompson.

Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who last week defected from the Nationals to run on a ticket with Mr Taylor, did not end up contesting the ballot for deputy.

In a statement afterwards, she said she chose not to stand after Mr Taylor lost and committed to working with Ms Ley and Mr O’Brien to build a “formidable Opposition”.

“While the outcome today is not the one that I would have wanted, it in no way lessens my commitment to the Liberal Party and the broader Coalition,” Ms Price said.

“Nor does the outcome lessen my resolve to rebuild and strengthen the Liberal Party.”

Going in to the party room meeting, the Liberals were anticipating a tight contest but sources said Ms Ley had the edge.

Afterwards, multiple MPs said it was vital now the party unite around the new leader.

“Australia spoke very clearly to the Liberal Party, who have listened and acted and we’re united,” WA senator Linda Reynolds said. She had publicly backed Ms Ley last week.

Casey MP Aaron Violi, who wouldn’t reveal his vote but was earlier thought to be in the Taylor camp, said it was important the party now unite behind Ms Ley and form a stable team.

“We have a big job to do. It’s not just on the leader, it’s us as a party to unify, make sure that we support her, put the right policies in place, and that comes about from listening,” he said.

“There are a lot of lessons from this result as a party we need to take and we have to do it as a collective.”

He said that as a younger member of the party room, he wanted to have a “positive voice” going forward, saying the need for everyone to continue to have a say was one of the key lessons from the election loss.

“There is a lot of talent, there is a lot of experience, there are new ideas, new faces in the party room. Everyone needs to be constructively contributing to how we go forward,” he said.

Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace said the result showed the Liberal Party was listening to voters.

“One thing the Australian people will not cop is a disunified opposition, and we now to need to now unite and and rebuild,” he said.

“We can’t rebuild if we’re not united and I think everybody in that room understands that.”

The Queensland MP has been a strong supporter of Israel and said he had spoken to Ms Ley about her views on the Middle East and was looking forward to working with her.

Some of Ms Ley’s opponents were circulating information about her past strong support for Palestine in the lead up to the leadership ballot.

“I think Susan has seen the light on Israel in recent years,” Mr Wallace said.

Ms Ley was first elected to Parliament in 2001.

She previously worked as a pilot – and continues to hold a pilot’s license – an air traffic controller, a shearers’ cook, a farmer and a public servant.