Angus Taylor and Sussan Ley formally declare their hand for Liberal leadership
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The news: Angus Taylor and Sussan Ley will square off against each other for the leadership of the Liberal Party after both formally declared their hand and Dan Tehan pulled out of the contest.
The context: Either Taylor or Ley will take over a party room which has been decimated to just over 40 seats following Labor’s thumping election victory on the weekend.
The Moderate wing of the party is backing Ley for leader, while Taylor has the support of the Right faction.
With more centrist MPs appearing to back Ley, the current deputy leader looks to be slightly in front on the numbers.
But Taylor boosted his numbers by the defection of Nationals senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price to the Liberal party room.
In a statement, Taylor pointed to his record in the corporate of rebuilding businesses as vice that he is the best person to reform the Liberal Party.
Ley earlier said that many Australians, particularly women and younger voters, “feel neglected by the Liberal Party” and it now needed to rebuild trust with voters.
What they said: Taylor said contesting the leadership was "not a decision I’ve taken lightly but it is one I’ve taken with conviction following discussions with many of my colleagues this week".
“Our party is at a crossroads. After the result on Saturday, we owe it to our members, our supporters, and the millions of Australians who believe in our cause to regroup, rebuild, and get back in the fight," he said.
“We must unify our party, rebuild its foundations and take up the fight to Labor.
"We must restore the Party around the values that make us strong:
- Sound economic management and personal responsibility;
- National security;
- Aspiration and reward for effort; and
- A vibrant private sector that creates jobs and opportunity.
“These values are the bedrock of Australia’s prosperity and the Liberal Party’s success. But this is not just about values. It’s about delivering results and that starts with deep renewal.”
Ley said since the weekend she has "had many conversations and listened to many everyday Australians".
“I have also spoken with my Liberal Party colleagues, candidates, former leaders of our Federal, State and Territory parties, Coalition partners as well as our wider party members and supporters," she said.
“It is clear that we got it wrong, and that Australia expects a change in direction and a fresh approach from the Liberal Party.
“Therefore, standing here in Albury where our movement was first formed, I announce my candidacy for the position of Federal Leader of the Liberal Party.
“The Liberal Party needs to listen to the Australian people and meet them where they are. We need to understand their aspirations.
“We need to build a new economic narrative. We need new policy offerings that show Australians we can help them and their families get ahead.
"Many Australians, including women and younger Australians, feel neglected by the Liberal Party. We must rebuild trust with all sections of Australian society and my election as Leader of the Liberal Party would send a very strong signal that we understand things need to be done differently."
The sources: Angus Taylor's office, Sussan Ley's office
