Sussan Ley won her seat last weekend despite a swing against her. Photo: Sussan Ley Facebook.
Farrer MP, pilot and former punk rocker Sussan Ley is a short-priced favourite with bookmakers to become the first female and the first rural NSW-based leader of the Liberal Party.
The deputy leader announced she would contest the position in a statement released on Friday (9 May).
“Since our significant election defeat, I have had many conversations and listened to many everyday Australians,” 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’s original constitution was established at a conference on Dean Street in Albury in December 1944. This location was chosen to show it was not solely a metropolitan party.
After losing a swag of MPs in major cities at last weekend’s election, the party is now dominated by regional and outer suburban members.
Ms Ley resides in Albury but was born in Nigeria, the daughter of a British Intelligence Officer. She’s also lived in the Middle East and was a proud punk rocker as a teenager. At the age of 20, Ms Ley gained her commercial pilot’s licence and continues to fly planes.
Sussan ‘Tina Turner’ Ley sang with radio host Glenn Starr to raise money for cancer in 2023. Photo: Sussan Ley MP Facebook.
The former health minister won her seat of Farrer at the election despite a nine per cent swing against her after a strong challenge from independent Michelle Milthorpe. Ms Ley has held the electorate based around Albury and Griffith since 2001.
“We need to listen and we need to change. The Liberal Party must respect modern Australia, reflect modern Australia and represent modern Australia,” she said.
“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.”
According to betting agency Sportsbet, Ms Ley is $1.72 favourite to become the leader, ahead of her main rival, Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor, who is at $2.40. The leadership of the party is vacant after former leader Peter Dutton lost his seat.
“I will provide leadership that unites our party, that puts our cause above sectional interests and that reaches beyond our base and earns the trust of the voters that we’ve lost,” Mr Taylor said in a statement also released on Friday.
“I’ve always shown up when it matters most,” he said.
“In my career, I’ve helped rebuild organisations and created successful businesses in the private sector.”
The Liberal Party will hold a party room ballot to elect a new leader next Tuesday (13 May) at 10 am.
