Ley Wins Over Taylor in Tight Liberal Leadership Vote

Ted O’Brien elected deputy as party pivots towards moderate leadership.

Deputy Leader of the Opposition Sussan Ley at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, on March 29, 2023. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

In a shift away from its right flank, the Liberal Party has elected Sussan Ley as its first female leader, favouring a centrist reset after its crushing federal election defeat.

Ted O’Brien was chosen as her deputy.

Ley narrowly edged out right-backed Angus Taylor in the leadership contest, winning 29 votes to his 25.

The leadership ballot followed the party’s defeat at the May 3 federal election, which saw Peter Dutton lose his Queensland seat of Dickson.

The vote was held during a closed party room meeting on May 13 that began at 10 a.m.

Ley was strongly supported by moderate and centre-right MPs, many of whom see the 63-year-old as the most promising option for reconnecting with voters, especially women, who have drifted from the party in recent years.

Lacking Economic Agenda

There has been internal dissatisfaction with Taylor’s role in shaping the Coalition’s minimal economic policy platform—widely seen as a key reason for its poor electoral performance.

Taylor was backed by members of the party’s right faction.

While Taylor received an endorsement from former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Ley enjoyed support from former New South Wales and Victorian state premiers, including Gladys Berejiklian and Barry O'Farrell.

‘We Need to Listen and Change’: Ley

In her leadership pitch to colleagues, Ley openly acknowledged the party’s shortcomings.

“It is clear that we got it wrong, and that Australia expects a change in direction and a fresh approach from the Liberal Party,” she told party members.

“The Liberal Party needs to listen to the Australian people and meet them where they are. We need to understand their aspirations.”

She also emphasised the need for economic renewal.

“We need to build a new economic narrative. We need new policy offerings that show Australians we can help them and their families get ahead.”

Calling for a reset in the party’s image and direction, she said, “We need to listen and we need to change. The Liberal Party must respect modern Australia, reflect modern Australia, and represent modern Australia.”

“Many Australians, including women and younger Australians, feel neglected by the Liberal Party. We must rebuild trust with all sections of Australian society, and my election as leader of the Liberal Party would send a very strong signal that we understand things need to be done differently.”

Ley also pledged to harness the capabilities within the party to rebuild over the next three years.

“We have an enormous depth of talent in our party room, and I want to draw on all of it over the next three years ... Under my leadership, these policies will always be guided by the timeless values which were the foundation of Menzies’ Liberal Party.”