‘Not Something We’re Planning’: Taylor Not Focused on Leadership Challenge

Amanda Rishworth however, said Taylor did not sound convincing.

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor speaks to media during a press conference at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Offices in Sydney, Australia, on Sept. 25, 2024. AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

Shadow Defence Minister Angus Taylor is not looking to challenge the leadership of Liberal leader Sussan Ley.

Ley, backed by the centre right and moderate faction, narrowly won a leadership ballot against Taylor after the May federal election.

Taylor left the door open when asked if he would categorically rule out a challenge to Ley on Nov. 11.

“It’s not something we’re planning. It’s not something I’m focused on. I’m focused on making sure Australians have what they need to have an affordable life, a better standard of living and the strength they need in their Defence Force,” Taylor said on the Today Show.

He later reiterated that the rumours he was preparing to challenge Sussan Ley’s leadership were “just not right.”

“I’m focused on making sure we’ve got the policies we need coming together to hold this government to account and to be contestable at the next election, including in defence in my portfolio,” Taylor said.

“We’re facing the most dangerous circumstances since the Second World War, and this Labor government is underfunding our services at a time when we need the Australian Defence Force to be the strongest we can make it.”

Labor Minister Says Taylor Not Convincing

Minister for Employment Amanda Rishworth was not sold on Taylor’s reassurance on a challenge to Ley.

“Well no, it doesn’t sound convincing,” she told the Today Show.

“But what I also don’t think is convincing is the fact just getting rid of action on climate change is actually a policy.”

Ley has been under pressure lately after multiple shadow cabinet resignations and the split opinions within the party on net zero.

The Liberal Party will meet on Nov. 12 to debate net zero policy, followed by a shadow cabinet meeting on Nov. 13. A joint Coalition meeting is set to be held on Nov. 16 to make a final decision on net zero policy.

Taylor said he would not pre-empt the outcome of the party room but was “very confident” the party would move to apply Liberal values to the problem of getting emissions down.

“The one thing I can absolutely guarantee you is we won’t be supporting economically destructive and unachievable targets,” Taylor said, referring to Labor’s net zero plan

However, Rishworth argued the Liberal Party’s internal debate over net zero and climate change was not delivering policy going forward. She suggested it was about the leadership of the party.

“That’s just an internal fight and really a stalking horse for leadership from where I sit,” Rishworth said.

Many Liberals Backing Ley

Multiple Liberal ministers have provided reassurance that Ley will remain leader in the immediate term.

Shadow Energy Minister Dan Tehan provided confidence in Ley’s leadership when asked if she would still be the leader in six months.

Tehan described his role as energy spokesman as a “wonderful challenge.”

“We’ve got really important meetings coming up tomorrow [Nov. 12], then on Thursday, and then hopefully on Sunday, and then we'll be able to get on and focus not only about continuing to develop our policy but holding the government to account.”

Liberal minister James Paterson, Deputy Leader Ted O'Brien, Victorian Senator Jane Hume, and NSW Senator Dave Sharma all provided confidence in Ley recently.

However, Victorian Senator Sarah Henderson, who was dumped from the front bench by Ley following the election, claimed she was “losing support” on Nov. 8.

“I don’t support things the way they are at the moment ... and I’m desperately hoping we get our act together,” Henderson said.