Sussan Ley’s election as a new liberal leader was a victory for the party’s centrist party, making history, being the first woman to hold the post, as the coalition relocated itself after the major election defeat.
Ley’s victory was barely loud, replacing Peter Dutton with a 29-25 party room vote against Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor.
Shadow Energy Secretary Ted O’Brien was elected deputy leader, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who was aligned with Mr. Tyler, was elected – withdrew from the competition shortly before the polls.
Ley, 63, is one of the Liberals’ most experienced hands, serving as cabinet ministers in the league’s past three prime ministers – Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison.
She has been a former commercial pilot, farmer and civil servant since her long-time former Nationwide leader and deputy prime minister Tim Fischer retired, with a seat in the Farrer seat in southwest New South Wales.
After exploring numerology, Ley changed the spelling of her name from “Susan” to “Sussan” in her 20s. She believes that adding an extra “s” would make her life “exciting” and make sure “nothing isn’t boring.”
Ley, a mother of three, has been supported by the party’s moderates, and some believe a woman at the helm will help repair the negative image of the party among female voters.
Some commentators say that the party, under Mr. Dutton, her promotion also represents a swing to the political center.
Sussan Ley is identified as the new leader of the Liberal Party, making history the first female leader of the party
Shadow Energy Minister Ted O’Brien is elected as Deputy Leadership, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price’s Hope is now dead in the water
Mr. Taylor is the most popular candidate for rights, but has also been criticized for failing to propose detailed economic policies during the campaign.
Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa defected from the Nationals last week and appears to be going straight to the party’s second place, but failed in that ambition.
Her runner from the National Party defector campaign deputy irritated former colleagues and some moderate liberals who disagree with her brave political style, which would be the voting champion of the inner city.
Senator Nampijinpa Price was accused of stimulating the cultural war, which evoked comments from U.S. President Donald Trump during the campaign when she said she wanted to “make Australia great again.”
Some speculate that Tuesday’s winner will be a sacrifice lamb, a difficult task to try to assume less than a third of the dominant government seats.
However, Jill Sheppard, a political lecturer at the Australian National University, said the lack of deep talent on the opposition bench means Ms. Ley will likely lead to the party’s next election, regardless of the mission seems tough right now.
“It does feel like a poisonous holy grail,” Dr. Sheppard told AAP.
“The most important day job is to keep partisan united, and when there is a lot of condemnation, it’s not easy.”
Senator Nampijinpa accused of “making Australia great again” during the campaign highlights the cultural war
Moderates urged liberals to abandon the cultural war and return to the political center ground, but Dr. Shepard warned that this may not solve the party’s problems.
She said proposing policies closer to the center could make it harder for liberals to distinguish them from labor.
Some of the lost votes in the alliance are likely to flow to a country (for example, a country), which may trigger some internal debate on the importance of a “cultural war.”
However, it is not clear whether the next leader can change the ideological direction of the Liberal Party.
Dr. Shepard said leaders were forced to find balance in the middle due to extreme limitations in the party room.
“To some extent, who are the leaders – all parties are very strong and they will limit their leaders,” she said.
The Nationals will be re-elected David Littleproud on Monday after conservative Senator Matt Canavan challenged.
Australian Daily Post Political Editor Peter Van Onselen’s view on Sussan Ley
One of Ley’s clear advantages is that as a woman, her elevation will help avoid criticism that the council does not have enough women on the conservative side of the room. Ley has previously expressed support for gender quotas, but that has not helped her become a leader’s campaign. However, this may help her win votes from women who escaped partisan revelry.
Rye’s biggest weakness is that she believes she is not in line with the leader’s job. Whether it’s unfounded or building this sentiment, it’s in colleagues and the parliamentary news gallery. This increases the difficulty of being taken seriously, but may also cause her opponent to underestimate her.
Another criticism she has received over the years is that her remarks are somewhat loose. It’s easy to open your mouth and need to go back to her comments. As a leader, she needs to be more disciplined than that and have a good team around her.
