Liberal Senator Jane Hume, who was left out of the new frontbench despite previously serving as Shadow Finance Minister, has pledged her support for party leader Sussan Ley—even as she admitted the decision left her “hurt personally and professionally.”
“If you’re asking me whether I feel hurt or slighted by this move from Sussan, of course it hurts,” Hume told Sunrise.
“It hurts professionally because I was a hard-working and prolific member of the frontbench in the previous Opposition. It hurts personally, too, because you know, Sussan and I are friends.”
Despite her removal, Hume rallied behind Ley’s leadership and stressed the need for party unity.
“The most important thing we can all do here now is get behind Sussan Ley, put our shoulders to the wheel. Because there’s a very big task ahead of us,” she said.
She added that they not only have to win back the hearts, minds, and votes of Australians but also hold the “terrible government to account.”
“As my very wise mother would say, ‘stop your nonsense, chin up, chest out, straighten your tiara and let’s get on with the job,’” she said.
Focus Now on Making a Difference from the Backbench
Senators Jane Hume and Sarah Henderson were both removed from the frontbench as Ley announced her first shadow cabinet on May 28, as the new Liberal Party leader.Addressing the change, Hume said she intended to focus on driving impact through her parliamentary work.
“This isn’t the playground. This is the Parliament. I’m not here to make friends. I’m here to make a difference,” she said.
She said her priorities would include fighting for small business, freedom of choice, and personal responsibility, while warning against big government.
“I will continue to do that every day from whatever position I am in,” she said.
Political Calculations Behind the Reshuffle, Says Paterson
Hume was reportedly a supporter of Angus Taylor in the leadership contest—an internal dynamic that some believe may have contributed to her removal, though Ley has publicly denied this.“Jane is a terrific colleague ... But this isn’t about who is sitting at what table and what role they have. It’s about every one of the 54 members of our party room having a role to play,” Ley said in response.
Senator James Paterson, who has replaced Hume in the finance portfolio, offered a more candid view.
He acknowledged the political dimensions of the reshuffle, which has drawn internal criticism.
“I would be lying if I said merit is the most important consideration,” Paterson admitted, noting leaders must weigh chamber representation, gender, and ideology.
Paterson praised Hume as a “strong communicator” and expressed his belief that she would return to senior ranks in the future.
