Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has introduced key performance indicators (KPIs) for her frontbench team, aiming to rectify the policy shortcomings that affected Peter Dutton’s election campaign. This initiative comes as Ley faces pressure to ensure cohesion within the party, particularly following recent inquiries about her leadership from MP Andrew Hastie.
In a move to clarify expectations, Ley has dispatched charter letters to shadow ministers detailing minimum standards and priority policy areas. These letters serve as a strategic framework, outlining the Coalition’s economic vision and guiding ministers in their roles. Ley delivered a speech in Melbourne earlier this month, where she articulated her economic perspective and the need for a proactive approach to policy development.
Ley’s office communicated to frontbenchers on Tuesday about the charter letters, stating they would soon be available in their respective inboxes. According to an email obtained from her office, the letters delineate “policy priorities and key performance indicators,” which combine the leader’s directives with the initiatives shadow ministers aim to pursue. This approach is designed to move the Coalition beyond merely reflecting government portfolios, steering them onto a more proactive policy path.
The statement from Ley’s office emphasized that the expectations set forth would assist the Coalition in crafting a clear and credible policy platform for the upcoming election. The objective is to establish a stark contrast with the Labor government rather than simply reacting to its policies.
Historically, the practice of leaders writing to their frontbenchers was initiated during the Hawke government and is not commonly adopted by opposition parties. Ley’s decision to embrace this method underscores the Coalition’s concerns about the previous breakdown in policy and communication under Dutton’s leadership. Shadow ministers had criticized Dutton’s office for operating a command-and-control model, which limited collaborative input.
Ley’s introduction of KPIs is a significant step in realigning the Coalition’s focus and enhancing its internal dynamics. By establishing clear directives, she aims to foster a more unified front, enabling the party to advance its agenda and effectively challenge the government in the lead-up to the next election.
