Taylor Challenges Ley for Party Leadership as 3 Frontbenchers Resign

The Coalition has endured two prolonged splits since May, and the Liberals are now recording some of their lowest polling numbers since their founding.

The Liberal Party's Angus Taylor speaks to the media during a press conference in Sydney, Australia, on July 4, 2023. AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi

Liberal Senator Jess Collins and now-former shadow NDIS spokesman Phillip Thompson have officially handed a spill motion to Opposition Leader Sussan Ley as several shadow cabinet members step down amid a long-awaited leadership challenge.

Collins and Thompson requested a special party meeting where the leadership spill would take place largely between the right and moderate factions—that meeting is be expected to be called on either Feb. 12 or 13.