Sussan Ley made Australian history this week when the Liberal Party elected her its first female leader.
In a narrow contest, deputy leader Ley beat shadow treasurer Angus Taylor for the opposition leadership by four points – 29 to 25 – making her the country’s first female federal opposition leader.
“I am humbled. I am honoured. And I am up for the job,” said Ley at a press conference in Canberra on Tuesday.
The leadership contest was held after opposition leader Peter Dutton lost his long-held Queensland seat of Dickson in the federal election, which saw voters hand the Liberals a thrashing. Recognising that it was a “significant defeat”, Ley said: “We have to respect the result and reflect with humility.”
She added: “We stood across polling booths across this country and saw the look on people’s faces as they came in, sadly, not to vote for us – they felt disappointed and let down. We understand that, and we must learn from that.”
We have to have a fresh approach
Ley – who joined the Liberal Party in 1994 – has held the regional NSW seat of Farrer for almost a quarter of a century. Having served as a minister under Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison, Ley is one of the country’s longest-serving female MPs.
“I am incredibly grateful for what the Liberal Party has given me, and everything that I am as I stand before you today is reflected by the party that has been part of well over half of my adult life,” Ley said.
Seeking to distance herself from Dutton’s bullish leadership, Ley said: “I want to do things differently, and we have to have a fresh approach.”
As well as a fresh approach, Ley is committed to the Liberals embracing a fresh look. “I want to say right here and now: we need more women in our party. We need more women in our party organisation. We need more women in this party room,” she said.
Still on the subject of women, Ley addressed the exodus of female voters to the independents. “We did let women down. There is no doubt about that,” she said. “It is true that the number of women who are supporting us is declining, and I want to rule a line under that. I don’t want to see that decline for one more day. That means a genuine, serious engagement with a new leadership team and a new agenda, one that I will personally drive.”
In the meantime, said Ley, “It is time to step up, regroup and rebuild for the Australian people.”
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