Sussan Ley declines to confirm either way on future for nuclear plan
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More news: Liberal leader Sussan Ley says the opposition's energy policy is under review but declined to confirm whether a nuclear-focused approach to the energy transition will continue to be part of it.
She said there are “different views” about how to reduce emissions, and she had signed up to reducing emissions overall. She also said she had concerns about crashing the energy grid and wrecking the manufacturing sector.
But she declined to say whether nuclear would end up in the mix.
“No policies have been adopted or walked away from at this time," she said.
“The first thing we need to do is engage with what those reasons are [that people didn’t vote Liberal]."
When pressed on shadow cabinet appointments, she said it would include people who had supported her as leader and people who had not.
Sussan Ley plans 'fresh approach' for Liberal Party after election defeat
More news: New Liberal leader Sussan Ley says she plans to do things "differently" with a "fresh approach".
Speaking at a press conference in Parliament on Tuesday afternoon, Ley said her plan is to develop robust policy processes and meet the Australian people "where they are".
“I am humbled, I am honoured and I am up for the job,” she said.
Ley said the position is a gift of the party room, and she will always respect and value what its members tell her.
“I’m optimistic they have the right ideas and I’m positive about what lies ahead,” she said. “But on May 3 we faced a significant defeat”.
She said the scale and size of that defeat was not lost on the Liberal Party and would be reflected on with humility.
Ley also acknowledged Angus Taylor for putting his hand up for the role, saying he would’ve been a “fine leader”. She said Taylor would have an “integral role” within the party.
“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,” Ley said.
"I know that at the next election we will have a competitive policy offering ... it is time to step up, regroup and rebuild for the Australian people."
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price commits to unity after Liberal leadership vote
More news: Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has expressed her disappointment that Sussan Ley won the Liberal leadership ballot over Angus Taylor.
However, she has committed to support the Liberal Party and work with Ley to ensure a "formidable opposition" to the Albanese government and a "compelling alternative" for voters at the next election.
In a statement released shortly after the vote, Price congratulated Ley on her appointment as leader and Ted O’Brien as deputy.
"While I am disappointed Angus Taylor was not elected Leader, I respect the decision made by my colleagues within the party room today," she said.
She also shed light on why she did not contest the deputy leader position.
"I was contesting the position of deputy leader on a ticket with Angus Taylor, and given the outcome with respect to the position of leader of the Liberal Party, I chose not to contest the position of deputy leader," Price said.
"I recognise that I am new to the Party, and am grateful that our Party is one that afforded me the opportunity to consider putting myself forward for the position of deputy leader in those circumstances."
She said she wanted the best outcome for all Australians and while the result was not what she wanted "it in no way lessens my commitment to the Liberal Party and the broader Coalition. Nor does the outcome lessen my resolve to rebuild and strengthen the Liberal Party."
"If the Coalition is to offer hope and a way forward for our nation, unity must prevail more within us now more than ever," she said.
Liberal Party elects Sussan Ley as new leader
The news: Sussan Ley is the new opposition leader after defeating Angus Taylor in a Liberal party room vote. Ted O'Brien will be deputy.
The numbers: Sources told Capital Brief the leadership vote was won 29 to 25, a tight result.
The deputy position was contested by O'Brien and Phil Thompson. The vote was 38-16.
The context: Ley is the first woman to lead the Liberal Party and the first female opposition leader.
She is also the first major party leader from a regional electorate in decades.
Ley is expected to hold a press conference this afternoon.
