Liberal Senator Blames Coalition Loss on ‘Zero Economic Policy’

Hughes rules out Taylor as leader, citing poor economic pitch and doubts about his leadership capability.

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on Feb. 17, 2022. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

As the Liberal Party begins soul-searching after a crushing defeat in the May 3 elections, NSW Senator Hollie Hughes has blamed the loss on the absence of a compelling economic agenda, criticising Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor for offering no clear plan.

“I feel that we have zero economic policy to sell. I don’t know what he’s been doing for three years. There was no tax policy, there was no economic narrative, and the fact that we’re in a massive cost of living crisis, and [Treasurer] Jim Chalmers has basically skated through unscathed,” Hughes told ABC radio.

She defended Coalition leader Peter Dutton and argued that, like many Liberal candidates, he struggled during the campaign due to the lack of substance behind policy offerings.

“We’re not a party that’s necessarily always had the popular leader,” she said, pointing to past leaders John Howard and Tony Abbott as examples.

“But they knew what they stood for. They knew what they were getting, and Australians had confidence in what they were going to deliver. And I just think that that narrative was lost, and I think it’s had real ramifications.”

Taylor As Leadership Contender

Hughes dismissed Taylor as a potential successor to Dutton, casting doubt on his ability to lead the Liberal Party.

“I’ve said it before. I have concerns about his capability,” she said, adding that even Labor MPs were questioning Taylor’s performance.

“I was receiving that feedback, even from Labor MPs, who were like, ‘Are you serious? What’s going on?’

“The economy is in a pretty bad state, yet Jim [Chalmers] has had zero challenges put up to him.”

She suggested Taylor may have prematurely assumed a leadership role.

“Maybe Angus was thinking that his role was to try and go up against Albanese in an early bid for leadership, I have no idea,” she said.

Hughes stressed the need for a leader who can clearly communicate and unify the party.

“You need to be able to sell a message. You need to be able to put the narrative together, and you need to be able to bring the team together,” she said.

Leadership Contest Looms As Party Regroups

In addition to Taylor, Deputy Liberal Leader Sussan Ley, Shadow Defence Minister Andrew Hastie, and Shadow Immigration Minister Dan Tehan are shaping up as likely contenders in the Liberal leadership race.

Ley, who has stepped in as interim leader following Dutton’s defeat, said the party room would soon convene to declare both leadership positions vacant before electing a new team.

While Taylor is in crisis for not putting up a strong agenda for the party as shadow treasurer, Tehan is not considered senior enough to lead.

Meanwhile, Hastie, often seen as a rising star within the party, has earned praise from senior Liberal Senator Michaelia Cash on election night.

However, his relatively young age—42—and limited ministerial experience outside defence may weigh against him.