Despite secret meeting, Hastie and Taylor fail to agree on plan to oust Ley
/ By Rebecca Green
Despite secret meeting, Hastie and Taylor fail to agree on plan to oust Ley
/ By Rebecca Green
The two contenders jockeying to succeed Sussan Ley as leader of the Liberal Party left a covert meeting held ahead of a memorial for their former colleague in Melbourne without resolving which of them would put their name forward.
Angus Taylor and Andrew Hastie, both from the party's conservative wing and gauging their support since last week's split with the Nationals, met today with fellow conservatives Jonathon Duniam, James Paterson and Matt O'Sullivan.
Although many Liberals expected Ms Ley could face a spill as early as next week, that can only proceed once the rival hopefuls settle who will run. A source familiar with the discussions said the huddle was "constructive" but that talks remain "ongoing", and that further conversations would be needed before any decision.
Current and former Liberals converged on Melbourne for the service honouring former MP Katie Allen. In a social media post, Ms Ley described Dr Allen as "a woman of rare grace, intellect and courage" and said she would "always miss her".
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it "extraordinary, frankly" that a leadership meeting would be held before a memorial, and he described Dr Allen as "a very decent human being".
Backers of Sussan Ley have expressed growing confidence about her prospects of surviving the first full sitting week of federal parliament next week, citing the apparent inability of Mr Taylor and Mr Hastie to break their standoff.
Liberal sources said Mr Hastie — whose wife was quoted in The Australian last weekend blessing his leadership tilt — was more eager to move against Ms Ley than Mr Taylor, who was inclined to wait.
Senator Paterson, who like Mr Taylor remains in the shadow cabinet, told Radio National this morning that he believed Ms Ley had "the support of the majority of the party room", including his own.
He added that if you do not support any leader, your first responsibility is to tell them, the second is to resign from the shadow cabinet, in that order; having done neither, he said, it can be assumed he still backs Sussan.
Littleproud leadership also set to face a challenge
The unravelling of the Coalition has further fuelled speculation about David Littleproud's future as Nationals leader. On Wednesday, Nationals MP Colin Boyce threatened a spill despite no apparent support from any of his colleagues.
In a sign the relationship between the two party leaders remains frosty, Mr Littleproud declined a meeting with Ms Ley, saying he could not while a spill was looming. He later clarified he would gladly meet with Ms Ley after any challenge concluded.
Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie said the party was "incredibly united" and that Mr Boyce's move had been a "complete surprise". Deputy Kevin Hogan said Mr Littleproud had been a consultative leader and still had the "complete support" of most colleagues.
Tony Abbott pushes for a challenge
Paul Scarr, a Liberal moderate and strong supporter of Ms Ley, said she was navigating "extremely difficult circumstances" and voiced his hope that the Coalition would reunite "as soon as possible".
Ted O'Brien, Ms Ley's deputy and another vocal supporter, said she had demonstrated "enormous strength and dignity with a difficult position in the National Party" and that he believed she was "doing a good job".
Even so, momentum among the conservative flank to end Ms Ley's leadership after just eight months has been building, including pressure from influential figures outside the party room. On Wednesday, the ABC reported Tony Abbott had urged a move against Ms Ley.
Mr Abbott's former chief of staff and longtime ally Peta Credlin penned an opinion piece in The Australian that was scathing of Ms Ley's decision-making, arguing One Nation's poll surge was "existential" for Liberals who should "unite under a leader with authority".
Angus Taylor and Andrew Hastie, both from the party's conservative wing and gauging their support since last week's split with the Nationals, met today with fellow conservatives Jonathon Duniam, James Paterson and Matt O'Sullivan.
Although many Liberals expected Ms Ley could face a spill as early as next week, that can only proceed once the rival hopefuls settle who will run. A source familiar with the discussions said the huddle was "constructive" but that talks remain "ongoing", and that further conversations would be needed before any decision.
Current and former Liberals converged on Melbourne for the service honouring former MP Katie Allen. In a social media post, Ms Ley described Dr Allen as "a woman of rare grace, intellect and courage" and said she would "always miss her".
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it "extraordinary, frankly" that a leadership meeting would be held before a memorial, and he described Dr Allen as "a very decent human being".
Backers of Sussan Ley have expressed growing confidence about her prospects of surviving the first full sitting week of federal parliament next week, citing the apparent inability of Mr Taylor and Mr Hastie to break their standoff.
Liberal sources said Mr Hastie — whose wife was quoted in The Australian last weekend blessing his leadership tilt — was more eager to move against Ms Ley than Mr Taylor, who was inclined to wait.
Senator Paterson, who like Mr Taylor remains in the shadow cabinet, told Radio National this morning that he believed Ms Ley had "the support of the majority of the party room", including his own.
He added that if you do not support any leader, your first responsibility is to tell them, the second is to resign from the shadow cabinet, in that order; having done neither, he said, it can be assumed he still backs Sussan.
Littleproud leadership also set to face a challenge
The unravelling of the Coalition has further fuelled speculation about David Littleproud's future as Nationals leader. On Wednesday, Nationals MP Colin Boyce threatened a spill despite no apparent support from any of his colleagues.
In a sign the relationship between the two party leaders remains frosty, Mr Littleproud declined a meeting with Ms Ley, saying he could not while a spill was looming. He later clarified he would gladly meet with Ms Ley after any challenge concluded.
Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie said the party was "incredibly united" and that Mr Boyce's move had been a "complete surprise". Deputy Kevin Hogan said Mr Littleproud had been a consultative leader and still had the "complete support" of most colleagues.
Tony Abbott pushes for a challenge
Paul Scarr, a Liberal moderate and strong supporter of Ms Ley, said she was navigating "extremely difficult circumstances" and voiced his hope that the Coalition would reunite "as soon as possible".
Ted O'Brien, Ms Ley's deputy and another vocal supporter, said she had demonstrated "enormous strength and dignity with a difficult position in the National Party" and that he believed she was "doing a good job".
Even so, momentum among the conservative flank to end Ms Ley's leadership after just eight months has been building, including pressure from influential figures outside the party room. On Wednesday, the ABC reported Tony Abbott had urged a move against Ms Ley.
Mr Abbott's former chief of staff and longtime ally Peta Credlin penned an opinion piece in The Australian that was scathing of Ms Ley's decision-making, arguing One Nation's poll surge was "existential" for Liberals who should "unite under a leader with authority".