Disenchanted Liberals are hoping for a clean kill — keen for Sussan Ley to resign as party leader as Andrew Hastie firms as her replacement.
Calls for Sussan Ley to resign as leader of the Liberal Party are intensifying as support for Andrew Hastie reportedly gains momentum. Discontent among party members is evident, with many advocating for a leadership change to rejuvenate the party’s prospects ahead of crucial upcoming elections.
Supporters of Hastie assert that he has garnered backing from over 20 MPs, positioning him as a strong contender to replace Ley. According to a source within the party, Hastie only needs six more votes to secure a leadership challenge. While he has not publicly declared his intention to run, insiders suggest that the sentiment towards Ley’s leadership is deteriorating rapidly.
“On a hard count, Andrew Hastie is already into the 20s,” a Liberal Party source stated. “There is clearly more support for Andrew than for Angus Taylor—by a factor of probably four. The Right faction has rallied around Andrew, recognizing that these are critical times for the Liberal Party.”
Hastie’s supporters are hopeful that Taylor will not enter the leadership race. “When Angus consults with his colleagues in the party room, he will quickly discover that the support he might have imagined isn’t actually there,” the source noted. “Once Angus withdraws, the only credible candidate left is Andrew.”
Ley’s leadership has come under severe scrutiny following a split with the Nationals party, led by David Littleproud. This rift occurred after Ley accepted the resignations of three members—Bridget McKenzie, Susan McDonald, and Ross Cadell—who defied party lines by voting against legislation aimed at curbing hate groups. This decision resulted in Littleproud and his entire front bench resigning from the shadow ministry.
Ley declined to comment on the ongoing leadership crisis, directing inquiries to statements made by the Opposition Leader earlier in the week. When asked if she would still be leader next month, when Parliament reconvenes on February 3, Ley expressed confidence in her position, stating, “Yes, and I’m being backed by my Liberal Party in the decisions that I’ve made to date.”
Despite Ley’s assertions, several Liberal sources indicate her leadership is untenable. “The only question now is who is in the driver’s seat,” one source remarked. “It’s widely believed that Ley stepping down would be the best scenario to avoid an ugly leadership brawl. Unfortunately, leaders in their final days often develop a siege mentality.”
Ley assumed leadership following a disastrous 2025 election for the Coalition, which saw them lose significant ground. In Western Australia, the Liberals now hold only four of 16 Federal seats. Should a vote occur on Ley’s leadership, it is believed that only one of eight WA Liberal MPs and senators, Melissa Price, would support her. Price asserted her continued backing for Ley, claiming she has faced immense pressure since taking on the role.
“From day one, Sussan has been under immense pressure,” Price said. “I don’t think she has been given a fair chance.”
Under Ley’s leadership, the Coalition has not only failed to make gains but has also lost ground to Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, which currently enjoys a 22 percent primary vote compared to the Coalition’s 21 percent in recent polls. This decline has raised questions about the effectiveness of Ley’s leadership and the party’s ability to connect with voters.
Hastie, too, has been vocal about the party’s direction, having previously resigned from the shadow cabinet over disagreements regarding immigration policy. His criticisms align with a growing sentiment among party members that a significant change is necessary to restore the party’s relevance.
As discussions continue and numbers are crunched, the political landscape within the Liberal Party remains fluid, with many eyes on Hastie as a potential unifying figure in an increasingly fractured environment.
