Sussan Ley Becomes First Woman to Lead Australia’s Liberal Party After Historic Election Defeat

Australia’s Liberal Party has elected a woman as its leader for the first time, with Sussan Ley taking over from Peter Dutton following the party’s devastating election loss.

Ley, a prominent figure from the party’s moderate faction, narrowly defeated conservative rival Angus Taylor by four votes in the leadership contest. Taylor had campaigned on a platform to restore “conservative values.”

The Liberal-National coalition, Australia’s main opposition bloc, suffered a massive defeat in the 3 May election — widely regarded as one of the worst in its history. Analysts and MPs attributed the loss to polarizing leadership, a disorganized campaign, and “Trumpian” policies that alienated key voter demographics, especially women and young Australians.

Ley’s historic appointment comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his cabinet were sworn in at Government House on Tuesday, following Labor’s landslide victory. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that Labor secured at least 93 seats, gaining 16 more than before, while the Coalition dropped to 42, down from 58.

Representing the vast rural seat of Farrer in New South Wales since 2001, Ley is one of the Liberal Party’s most seasoned politicians and previously served as deputy under Dutton. She was joined by Ted O’Brien, the Queensland MP and former energy spokesman, who has been elected as her deputy.

In her remarks after the vote, Ley pledged to reconnect the party with modern Australia:

“We have to have a Liberal Party that respects modern Australia, that reflects modern Australia, and that represents modern Australia. And we have to meet the people where they are,” she said.

She also promised to review the party’s recent performance and key policies, including its nuclear energy stance and net zero emissions targets:

“I want to do things differently, and we have to have a fresh approach,” she said.
“I committed to my colleagues that there would be no captain’s calls from anywhere by me… that we would work through every single policy issue and canvas the different views and take the time to get it right.”

Following the leadership result, Angus Taylor congratulated Ley and urged party unity:

“Sussan has led a remarkable life and becoming the first woman to lead the Liberal Party is a milestone for Sussan and our party,” he said.

The Nationals, the junior coalition partner, also voted to retain David Littleproud as their leader on Monday, fending off a challenge from a conservative rival.

Meanwhile, PM Albanese announced major changes in his cabinet. Tanya Plibersek moved from the environment portfolio to social services, while Michelle Rowland became attorney general. Former ministers Mark Dreyfus and Ed Husic were removed from the frontbench.

“I have got people who are, I think, in the best positions and that’s across the board,” Albanese said.