Who will be the next Opposition Leader? Here are the four names in the running

One of the four people being touted to succeed Peter Dutton in the Liberal leadership has broken her silence since Saturday’s shocking loss.

Four names have emerged as possible contenders to replace Peter Dutton and lead the Coalition, following Saturday night’s election white wash.

Labor’s emphatic win resulted in a significant cull to the opposition’s 55-seat hold in the House of Representatives, with the current count reducing their numbers to 37.

Currently Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor, Deputy Liberal Leader Sussan Ley, immigration spokesman Dan Tehan and defence spokesman Andrew Hastie have been touted as potential successors, however Coalition members warned that it was “too early to call”.

As it stands, 17 seats remain too close to call.

Ms Ley late on Sunday broke her silence for the first time since the election loss.

“Last night was a very difficult night for the Liberal Party and today we reflect on these results with humility,” she said.

“I want to thank the many millions of Australians who voted for the Liberal Party (and National Party) and the thousands of volunteers who supported our campaign.”

She also paid tribute to Mr Dutton for “his 25 years of deeply valued service to our country”.

Sussan Ley has paid tribute to Peter Dutton but has not indicated if she will put her hand up to succeed him following Saturday’s election loss. Picture: Adam Head / NewsWire

“He has been an outstanding member of parliament, senior cabinet minister, leader of our party and friend,” Ms Ley said in the statement.

“We wish him, Kirilly, Bec, Harry and Tom all the very best for their future. They will rightly be very proud of his outstanding service to Australia.”

Ms Ley did not indicate if she would put her hand up to succeed Mr Dutton, but laid out what would happen next under party rules.

While Mr Taylor has been touted as the natural successor, one Coalition MP questioned whether promoting the shadow treasurer to the top job would only highlight the Coalition’s election shortcomings.

“I think we completely failed on economic policy, so I don’t see how re-running that film is going to help us,” they said.

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor is one of the four people who could replace Peter Dutton as the Liberal Leader. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

Deputy Liberal Leader Sussan Ley is another contender. Picture: Richard Dobson / NewsWire

Another MP raised concerns with promoting Mr Tehan to the top job after he struggled to retain the previously safe Liberal seat of Wannon, following repeated challenges from Climate 200 backed independent Alex Dyson, who is also a former Triple J presenter.

“Any person who struggles in a safe seat shouldn’t be leader,” they said.

“What are you gonna do next campaign? You’re gonna be campaigning in your seat, or are you going to be campaigning across the nation?”

Mr Hastie, a former commando who entered parliament after winning the WA seat of Canning in 2016, could also be barred from the job due to his lack of cabinet experience.

However, he did serve as the assistant minister for defence under the Morrison government from 2020 to 2022.

WA MP Andrew Hastie is also in the running. Picture: Richard Dobson/ NewsWire

With Dan Tehan rounding out the list, after he held onto his marginal seat of Wannon. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Questions were also raised why Ms Ley, who is technically the acting Liberal Leader following Mr Dutton’s ousting, didn’t front media following the election bloodbath.

She’s not alone. Before she issued her statement, only Mr Tehan was asked about the prospect of ascending to the Liberal leadership.

However, quizzed by the ABC on election night he said he needed “time to consider, time to think and get an understanding of what has occurred”.

Despite this, the general consensus was that it was still “too early” to determine who would succeed Mr Dutton.

“Everyone is in shock today and we’ve still got a lot of counting to do, so I wouldn’t be rushing to a party room,” said a third senior Coalition member.

“There’s enough blame to go around and we’ve all got to be really honest and humble in the message that we’ve been sent.”

Ms Ley’s statement said the party would come together to vote for a new leader and deputy leader.

Sussan Ley says the leader and deputy leader roles will be open for election following the defeat of Peter Dutton. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Acting chief whip Melissa Price would coordinate the arrangements for the party room meeting.

“As per our party rules following an election defeat, the Liberal party room will meet in order to elect a Leader of the Opposition and Deputy Leader of the Opposition,” Ms Ley’s statement said.

“These positions will be declared vacant at this meeting.

“Today I have consulted with our party’s senior leadership and it is clear that there are several seats where preferential counting must continue before this meeting can take place.

“As that count does continue, the Member for Durack, the Honourable Melissa Price MP is the Acting Chief Opposition Whip and will communicate further about these arrangements in due course.”

Ms Ley said the party’s “thoughts are also with many Liberal colleagues who have lost their seats”.

“I look forward to their significant individual contributions being appropriately recognised in the near future.”

Originally published as Who will be the next Opposition Leader? Here are the four names in the running