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Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has dismissed suggestions she will be ousted before parliament returns next year, despite the Liberal and National parties battling over net zero policy that has toppled previous leaders.
The dispute over whether the Liberals should follow the Nationals and dump a goal of Australia reaching net zero emissions by 2050 has become a proxy war for the overall direction and leadership of the party.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is staring down her rivals and vowing to still be in the job when Christmas comes.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
Asked whether she was confident she would survive the final weeks of parliament sitting in Canberra, which has become known as the “killing season” – because other leaders have been deposed in that period – Ley said: “I’m completely confident, and I have a smile on my face as I answer this because I know that the media and commentary does get a little bit excited from time to time.
“But … I said when I became leader, that I would work incredibly hard for the things that matter, the national interest, the Australian people, the people who take risks, who believe in the future of this country, who work hard every day, and who deserve a better government in Canberra than what we’re seeing right here,” Ley told ABC Radio National.
Ley’s rivals, including conservatives Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor, are not doing the numbers for an imminent challenge.
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Ley also criticised remarks by Hastie about abortion. The WA conservative backbencher made a speech last week raising concerns about a bill to solidify paid parental leave rights for families who had lost a pregnancy because he had fears it could apply to late-term abortions.
“As a mother and a grandmother, this is very personal, so any commentary about this bill applying in other contexts is insensitive,” Ley told ABC Radio National’s Sabra Lane, who asked specifically about Hastie.
“The last thing I’m going to do is issue judgments on mothers. And certainly, very supportive of the bill, as is my team.”
Coalition finance spokesman James Paterson said he supported Ley’s leadership, but defended Hastie’s speech. He said the bill itself was important, and the Coalition had supported it, but it was also important that MPs could raise matters of personal conscience.
Hastie, Paterson said on ABC radio, did so in a way that was “measured, calm and respectful”. He noted that the Hastie did not vote against the bill, nor move amendments.
More to come.
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