Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has moved to tighten discipline inside the Coalition by issuing performance benchmarks to her shadow ministers.
The move comes amid continuing questions over her leadership and lingering tensions following former party leader Peter Dutton’s election defeat.
Ley’s office confirmed to The Epoch Times that “charter letters” were being sent to frontbenchers, setting out expectations and outlining key policy areas.
“They set out policy priorities and key performance indicators, encompassing both the leader’s direction as well as areas where shadow ministers wish to advance policy. The letters provide clear direction and a tasking to shadow ministers beyond the conventional mirroring of government portfolios, putting the Coalition on a proactive policy path,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson for Ley added that the system would “enable the Coalition to develop a clear, credible policy platform to take to the election, drawing a clear contrast with Labor rather than simply responding to the government.”
Hastie and Internal Divisions
Ley’s intervention follows weeks of speculation about her leadership future and the ambitions of senior MP Andrew Hastie.
Asked whether she feared a challenge from him, Ley said: “No, I am not.”
When pressed on her contact with him, she said, “I speak to my colleagues all the time, especially my shadow cabinet colleagues, and I don’t go into details of private conversations.”
She sought to ease perceptions of internal dissent.
“I’m very confident that all of my colleagues are expressing strongly held views, and they do that in many ways, and as we work together to fight this government for an economic agenda that is letting Australians down,” she said.
Hastie has been pushing the party toward a harder line on migration, linking it to housing pressures.
“So many young Australians have lost hope of owning a home, and if they can’t build a home, it’s very hard to start a family,” he told Parliament last month.
His position has been echoed by former frontbencher Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who was recently demoted.
Price has openly backed Hastie for leader. Senator Sarah Henderson also criticised Ley’s reshuffle, saying Price, along with other women including herself, had been unfairly targeted.
