Liberal Party Braces for Leadership Spill as Angus Taylor Challenges Sussan Ley
The Australian Liberal party is set to resolve its leadership question in a crucial vote at 9am on Friday, as a challenge from Angus Taylor threatens to oust Sussan Ley, the first female to hold the position of Opposition Leader. Guardian Australia confirmed the meeting was called at the behest of the party’s whips, Aaron Violi and Wendy Askew, alongside Ley herself.
The impending spill comes amid internal tensions within the party, and Taylor has emerged as the sole declared candidate to contest Ley’s leadership. Should a majority of Liberal MPs support a spill motion, Taylor could potentially seize control of the opposition.
Beyond the immediate leadership battle, a range of other political issues are vying for attention in Canberra. Independent MP Zali Steggall raised concerns regarding the potential use of defense land sales, questioning whether the government would prioritize affordable housing over maximizing profits for developers. “Will the Minister take steps to ensure that this public asset is used for social benefit?” Steggall asked, receiving a noncommittal response from Jim Chalmers, standing in for the housing minister.
Meanwhile, Ley herself has renewed her focus on a report concerning the CFMEU, alleging potential interference by the Victorian Labor government. She has called for an investigation by the National Anti-corruption Commission to determine if commonwealth taxpayer funds were misused. Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth responded similarly to her previous statements, noting the report was commissioned by and handed to administrator Mark Irving, who has pledged to refer the matter to relevant law enforcement agencies.
The atmosphere in Parliament House is reportedly tense, with the last question time of the fortnight expected to be particularly fraught. Observers noted Taylor strategically positioned himself behind Ley during the session, shaking hands with Nationals MP Michael McCormack in a display of apparent solidarity.
In separate news, a report revealed alarming levels of psychological risk within Australian universities. Adelaide University’s Australian University Census on Staff Wellbeing found that 44% of university staff are in “very high risk” environments, compared to just 11% of the general workforce. Gabe Gooding, of the National Tertiary Education Union, described university workplaces as “toxic,” highlighting the urgent need for improved support for staff mental health.
Adding to the political maneuvering, moderate Liberal senator Dave Sharma indicated the leadership vote would be closely contested, stating he “respects” both Ley and Taylor and believes resolving the issue is paramount. “I think it will be a competitive battle,” Sharma told reporters.
In Queensland, Labor leader Steven Miles has raised allegations that Liberal MP Amanda Stoker suggested to the head of an anti-abortion group that state abortion laws could be altered in the next term. Premier David Crisafulli dismissed the claims as a “scare campaign,” reiterating his commitment to maintaining the current laws. The issue follows a recent instance of a Mackay MP crossing the floor to challenge a gag on debate surrounding abortion legislation.
Ley is actively campaigning to retain her leadership, engaging heavily on social media with a series of Instagram posts. Taylor, meanwhile, is receiving supportive comments on his own social media channels.
Finally, a coalition of 12 universities is urging parliament to pass legislation establishing the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (Atec). The universities argue the independent body is crucial for reforming the higher education sector and addressing issues with the Job-ready Graduates scheme. The Liberal party has expressed reservations about the legislation, potentially requiring support from the Greens and minor parties for its passage.
.
