Disenchanted Liberals are hoping for a clean kill — keen for Sussan Ley to resign as party leader as Andrew Hastie firms as her replacement.
Discontent within the Liberal Party is escalating as calls for Sussan Ley to resign as leader intensify, with Andrew Hastie emerging as a prominent contender for her position. Supporters of Hastie assert that he has garnered substantial backing, claiming he already has the support of over 20 MPs, just six votes shy of toppling Ley. This internal strife follows Ley’s controversial leadership amidst a series of resignations that shook the party.
While Hastie has not publicly declared his intention to challenge Ley, his supporters believe her leadership is in jeopardy. One source within the party noted, “It’s reasonable to say that Andrew Hastie on a hard count is already into the 20s,” indicating a significant level of support in contrast to Angus Taylor, another potential candidate. “Very clearly there is more support for Andrew than Angus Taylor by a factor of probably four,” the source added, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Hastie’s backers are reportedly hoping Taylor will refrain from entering the leadership race. “When Angus seeks the counsel of his colleagues in the party room, I think he will quickly discover that the support he might have imagined isn’t actually there,” a party insider commented. The sense of urgency surrounding this potential leadership change is palpable, especially in light of the upcoming parliamentary session.
Ley’s leadership currently faces a critical challenge following the refusal of David Littleproud‘s Nationals to support a Ley-led Coalition. This division arose after Ley accepted the resignations of Bridget McKenzie, Susan McDonald, and Ross Cadell, who voted against legislation aimed at combating hate groups and radical ideologies. The fallout from these events led Littleproud and his entire front bench to resign from their shadow ministries, further complicating Ley’s position.
On February 3, 2025, Parliament will reconvene, and the question of leadership hangs in the air. Ley has asserted her commitment to the role, stating, “Yes, and I’m being backed by my Liberal Party in the decisions that I’ve made to date.” However, multiple party sources have indicated that her leadership is “terminal,” suggesting that stepping down could prevent a protracted leadership battle.
The current political climate presents a stark reality for Ley, who took the helm following a 2025 election that saw the Coalition suffer significant losses. In Western Australia, the Liberals now hold just four of 16 Federal seats. Should a vote take place regarding Ley’s leadership, it is believed that only one of eight WA Liberal MPs and senators—Melissa Price—would support her. Price expressed her belief that the majority of the parliamentary party stands with Ley, stating, “From day one, Sussan has been under immense pressure, and I don’t think she has been given a fair-dinkum chance.”
Despite Price’s defense, the Coalition appears to be losing ground, with One Nation now enjoying a 22 percent primary vote compared to the Coalition’s 21 percent. This shift underscores the challenges Ley faces in restoring the party’s appeal to Australian voters.
Hastie, a vocal critic of Australia’s immigration policy, resigned from the shadow cabinet in October 2023, citing disagreements over the party’s stance. He has also opposed net zero emission targets, positioning himself as a figure who resonates with certain voter bases.
As tensions rise within the Liberal Party, the future of its leadership remains uncertain. The coming weeks will be crucial as the party navigates its internal dynamics and prepares for the parliamentary session ahead.
