Sussan Ley safe, for now, as Andrew Hastie jumps ahead of leadership rivals

WA antagonist Andrew Hastie has emerged as the front-runner to replace Sussan Ley, according to a new opinion poll that reveals half of voters can’t pick anyone they want to lead the Liberals.

The Coalition’s primary vote was still languishing at a record low 24 per cent, in the last Newspoll before Parliament rises — despite dumping net zero and talking tough on migration.

The poll — published in Monday’s Australian — showed Labor has increased its two-party preferred lead to 58-42 per cent, while 46 per cent of the 1245 voters surveyed answered “don’t know” when presented a list of potential Liberal leaders.

Ms Ley topped the list with 21 per cent support, including from 28 per cent of Coalition voters.

But Mr Hastie, who has previously confirmed his leadership ambitions, was closest on her heels with the backing of 15 per cent and — crucially — with 26 per cent support from supporters of One Nation, that has been the major beneficiary of the Liberal party’s identity crisis.

There were big gender and age gaps between them, with Ms Ley supported by 21 per cent of women versus just 13 per cent backing Mr Hastie.

Younger voters, aged 18-34, also backed Ms Ley over Mr Hastie — 24 to 9 per cent.

Multiple senior party sources have indicated neither Mr Hastie or Angus Taylor are counting numbers, with the two conservative candidates conscious of not wanting to “knife” the first female Liberal leader.

Ms Ley’s performance rating improved slightly after ending the internal dithering over energy policy, and confirming the Coalition would abandon net zero.

But though her rating improved four points, it was still languishing at 29 per cent net dissatisfaction.

While, Anthony Albanese maintained a 54-27 lead as preferred Prime Minister.

Primary vote support for One Nation remained at a record high 15 per cent, while the Greens increased to 13 per cent and the minor parties and independents fell to 12 per cent.