Moderates Rally Around Embattled Liberal Leader
Internal pressure is intensifying on Opposition Leader Sussan Ley as senior Liberal moderates publicly defend her position following the Coalition's controversial decision to abandon its commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. The dramatic policy shift, confirmed during last week's joint party-room meeting, has triggered significant factional turmoil within the Liberal Party.
Factional powerbrokers Anne Ruston and Maria Kovacic issued a strong statement on Monday directly contradicting media reports that moderates might withdraw support for Ley. Their intervention came after speculation emerged that some moderate MPs could swing behind conservative West Australian Andrew Hastie in a potential leadership challenge.
Public Support Masks Underlying Tensions
Despite the public show of unity, Liberals across all factions believe a challenge to Ley's leadership from either Andrew Hastie or Angus Taylor has become inevitable. However, most sources consider a spill during parliament's final sitting week next week as unlikely, suggesting any contest would probably occur after the Christmas break.
In their statement released through Ley's office, Ruston and Kovacic declared that reports suggesting a majority of moderates would support Hastie over Ley were "incorrect". They emphasised that "an overwhelming majority of our moderate colleagues continue to strongly support Sussan's leadership".
Ley herself addressed the leadership speculation during multiple media interviews on Monday, hinting at gendered criticism of her capabilities. "I've been underestimated a lot of my life," the trained pilot told 2GB radio. "I remember when a lot of blokes told me I couldn't fly an aeroplane and did a lot to keep me out of the front seat."
Policy Division Fuels Leadership Uncertainty
The internal pressure on Ley has been building steadily since the Coalition resolved to drop its net zero commitment, representing a significant victory for conservative elements over moderates who had fought to retain the climate target. This policy reversal has particularly angered moderate Liberals, who are furious about aspects of the final energy policy, including a proposal to allow the capacity investment scheme to underwrite coal-fired power.
The moderates were crucial to Ley's narrow 29-25 victory over Angus Taylor in the post-election leadership ballot six months ago, making any potential defections from this group particularly dangerous for her leadership survival.
Multiple Liberal sources confirmed that during a phone hook-up ahead of Sunday's party meeting, a group of mostly moderate Liberals briefly discussed potential leadership scenarios involving Hastie and Taylor. However, sources stressed this was not the primary focus of their discussion.
The situation remains fluid, with conservative Liberals reportedly not preparing for an immediate challenge. One right-faction MP noted that "this is the moderates acting completely alone at the moment," while conservatives focus on selling the new energy policy.
Meanwhile, a new poll released on Monday showing the Coalition's primary vote at a record low of 24% has added to the pressure on Ley's leadership, though she remains publicly defiant about her position and the party's direction.
