Australian news and politics live: Sussan Ley secures Liberal Party leadership, Angus Taylor defeated

Newly confirmed Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Michaelia Cash has called for the Coalition to focus on its “values and beliefs” to win back voter support.

“I think Australians will better understand our policies if we make them much more aware of our values and beliefs. Those beliefs are based in freedom – the rights and freedoms of all people,” she said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Those freedoms include freedom of thought, worship, speech and association,” she said.

Senator Cash stressed the belief in “smaller government that minimises interference in people’s daily lives” as well as underscoring “individual freedom and free enterprise.”

Senator Anne Ruston was confirmed as Deputy Leader and Senator Wendy Askew as Liberal Party Whip in the Senate.

Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor has congratulated Sussan Ley for her “milestone” win following his failed bid for the Liberal Party leadership.

“Sussan has led a remarkable life and becoming the first woman to lead the Liberal Party is a milestone for Sussan and our party,” he said in a statement following a vote which he lost, 29 to 25.

After the party’s “historic defeat” in the Federal election, the Liberals had to “do more to convince Australians that the Coalition is the best party to support aspiration, economic opportunity, and the Australian dream,” said Mr Taylor.

Calling, alongside many of his colleagues, for unity, he said he would “contribute the best way I can to help get us back in the fight,” calling for a “strong and competent Opposition to hold this Labor Government to account.”

Mr Taylor’s record on shaping the party’s economic arguments has been cited by critics as contributing to the Opposition’s trouncing at the polls, but he laid out a strong defence of his policies on Tuesday.

“I’m proud that we took to the election strong and practical plans to beat inflation sustainably; repair our housing and energy markets; revive growth by backing small business and investment; deliver targeted, timely tax relief; and restore the Budget to protect our nation,” he said.

He also touted the delivery of the “strongest downpayment on budget repair by an Opposition in 25 years – without economy-wrecking taxes – while provisioning for the defence of our nation.”

Liberal Party Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who had planned to stand as deputy leader if Angus Taylor had won the leadership bid, also called for party unity and offered her congratulations to Sussan Ley and Ted O’Brien.

Ms Price had stoked the ire of Nationals colleagues by crossing the party room floor to the Liberals after the May 3 election, with Nationals Senator Matt Canavan describing her actions as “disloyal.”

In a statement after her failed joint leadership ticket with Mr Taylor, Ms Price thanked the Liberal Party for the opportunity to consider running even as a newcomer.

“Ultimately, I want the best outcome for all Australians – that is why I entered politics, and why I continue to serve as a member of the Australian Parliament,” she said.

“So, while the outcome today is not the one that I would have 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,” Ms Price added.

“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, adding that the Opposition must now provide a “compelling alternative to the Australian public at the next election.”

Aaron Violi, the member for Casey, Victoria, also called for unity and stability behind new Leader Sussan Ley.

“We have a big job to do. It’s not just on the leader, it’s on us as a party to unify, to make sure that we support her for the right policies in place,” he said.

He said there were many lessons to learn as a party to be humble and learn and “to understand where we went wrong, why we were rejected by the Australian people.”

Mr Violi, who was reported to be a supporter of Angus Taylor’s bid for leadership, said he would not provide any public commentary on how he voted.

But he stressed the need to fall in behind Ms Ley and her new deputy, Ted O’Brien.

“We need to work collectively, together as a team. There is so much we need to do. It only happens if we work together,” he said.

Queensland MP Andrew Wallace had not announced his choice for leader ahead of the Liberal Party vote and praised Sussan Ley’s experience in a lengthy statement after he left the party room.

“Sussan is a woman with 24 years’ experience in this place. And I think nothing beats experience in this place,” he said.

“You know where all the bodies are buried, you know the tactics, which is very important in this place.”

But he downplayed the suggestion she was elected because of the Liberal Party’s unpopularity with women, saying, “We have to appoint people on merit.”

He echoed colleagues’ comments that it was “time to rebuild and get on with it.”

“One thing the Australian people will not cop is a disunified Opposition,” he said.

“We need to now unite and rebuild.

We can’t rebuild if we’re not united. And I think everybody in that room understands that that’s exactly what we will do.”

Liberal Party members have been giving their first reactions to Sussan Ley’s win as they exit the party room after the vote.

Senator Linda Reynolds, who had stated her support for Ms Ley ahead of the ballot, said she was “delighted” with the result.

“Australia spoke very clearly to the Liberal Party. We have listened, we have acted and we are united.”

Senator Jonathon Duniam commented that it was “time to rebuild,” while WA Senator Dean Smith called the outcome a “new beginning.”

Senator Andrew Bragg said he was “very happy,” while Senator James Paterson, the high-profile spokesperson for the Coalition election campaign, only gave a fleeting but cheerful, “see you soon,” as he walked briskly down the corridor.

The Liberal Party has elected its first-ever female Federal Leader.

Not just a politician, Sussan Ley is also a mother, a grandmother and holds a pilot license as well as multiple degrees.

The member for Farrer, located in regional NSW, won the Liberal Party leadership battle on Tuesday against Angus Taylor, 29 to 25.

Ms Ley has worked as an air traffic controller, an aerial stock mustering pilot, a wool and beef farmer, as well as being a public servant.

The new Opposition Leader holds a Bachelor of Economics, a Masters in Tax and a Masters in Accounting from three separate universities.

In her political career, which began when she was elected back in 2001, Ms Ley has worked as a cabinet minister in Governments led by Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison.

Ms Ley will now bring her extensive experience from within Government and attempt to rebuild the Liberal Party after an enormous loss in the 2025 Federal election under former Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.

Sussan Ley has made history to become the first female leader of the Federal Liberal Party after a ballot of MPs in Canberra on Tuesday morning.

Ms Ley defeated Angus Taylor in the contest to be Opposition leader, taking the place of Peter Dutton after he lost his seat of Dickson at the May 3 election.

Ms Ley had been the party’s deputy leader for the past three years.

Going in to the party room meeting, the Liberals were anticipating a tight contest but sources said Ms Ley had the edge.

They were cautious that a tight result might not be the best outcome for the party, which was already destabilised by a devastating election loss.

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The Liberal Party has confirmed its new leader and deputy leader.

“The new leadership of the Liberal Party will be talking to the media later on today, so please don’t ask me questions, our job is to give you the results,” Melissa Price said outside the party room.

“The Liberal Party has met and we have determined that the new leader of our Liberal Party is Sussan Ley with 29 votes and Angus Taylor 25.”

Wendy Askew then confirmed the party’s new deputy.

“In relation to the Deputy Leader’s position, we had two nominees, both Ted O’Brien and Phil Thompson, the result of that ballot was 38 - Ted O’Brien and 16 - Phil Thompson,” she said.

“They will be our leadership team.”

BREAKING: Sussan Ley has won the Liberal leadership ballot 29 to 25.

More to come...