Andrew Hastie clears path for Taylor to run in Liberal leadership contest

Andrew Hastie will not challenge Sussan Ley for the Liberal Party leadership after saying it was clear to him he didn’t have the support within the party room to win a contest.

The move clears the way for Angus Taylor to be the sole right faction candidate in a leadership spill.

Sources close to both men insist a challenge is still on the cards and it’s “now a matter of when not if”.

The Canning MP issued a statement on Friday afternoon acknowledging that he had had leadership ambitions.

“But having consulted with colleagues over the past week and respecting their honest feedback to me, it is clear that I do not have the support needed to become leader of the Liberal Party,” he said.

“On this basis, I wish to make it clear I will not be contesting the leadership of the Liberal Party.”

His announcement came a day after he met with Mr Taylor and right faction powerbrokers Jonno Duniam, James Paterson and Matt O’Sullivan in Melbourne to discuss their rival bids.

Earlier on Friday, Ms Ley unveiled a new-look all-Liberal shadow ministry before Parliament returns on Monday and has set a week’s deadline for the Nationals to rejoin the Coalition as she attempts to cling on to her job following the recent damaging split.

Under the revamp, Liberal frontbenchers Ted O’Brien, Michaelia Cash, Anne Ruston, Dan Tehan, James McGrath, Angus Taylor and Angie Bell all take on additional portfolio responsibilities which were previously held by National Party shadow ministers.

In a statement, she said the Liberal Leadership group had met and agreed that the “finalisation of longer-term shadow ministerial arrangements is also required”.

“It is intended that these acting arrangements cease before the second February sitting week commences (Monday 9 February), when I appoint a further six parliamentarians to serve in the Shadow Cabinet and two in the outer Shadow Ministry, on an ongoing basis.”

“There is enormous talent in the parliamentary Liberal Party and my party room is more than capable of permanently fulfilling each and every one of those roles,” Ms Ley said.

Ms Ley said the Nationals’ decision to leave the Coalition last week was “both regrettable and unnecessary and that door remains open” to having the party return to its previous arrangements with the Liberals.

“The Liberal and National parties exist to serve the Australian people and the maintenance of a strong and functioning relationship between both is in the national interest — whether we are in a formal Coalition or not.”

Earlier this week Ms Ley wrote to Nationals leader David Littleproud proposing a meeting “without any preconditions and as a priority” to discuss a reforming of the Coalition ahead of Parliament’s return.

“I understand and respect his decision to await his party’s consideration of a forthcoming spill motion. Following Monday’s parliamentary meeting of The Nationals, I will attempt to meet with whoever is elected as their leader,” Ms Ley said.

The Opposition Leader has vowed her team will continue to focus on “the millions of struggling Australians who can’t afford the basics under Labor’s inflation crisis”.

“We will continue holding the Albanese Government to account as we outline, and offer, a better way forward for the Australian people,” Ms Ley declared, as she faces the possibility of a challenge to her position next week when Liberals meet in Canberra.

Under the latest frontbench changes, Liberal leadership rival and Shadow Defence Minister Angus Taylor also takes on Veterans’ Affairs, while Shadow Foreign Minister Michaelia Cash assumes additional responsibilities for Trade, Investment and Tourism.