Liberal insider spills on what the party’s next leader will face
One Liberal MP has given an inside take on the top contenders for the Liberal leadership, and said it will not be easy as they face a barrage of criticism.
Federal Election
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The main contenders to replace Peter Dutton are wary of the pitfalls of taking on the Liberal leadership when the party is at its lowest ever point, with one MP warning whoever gets the top job first is bound to get a “whack”.
Deputy leader Sussan Ley, treasury spokesman Angus Taylor, immigration spokesman Dan Tehan and defence spokesman Andrew Hastie are viewed as the most likely to seek the Liberal leadership, though none have spoken publicly about their intentions since the Coalition’s devastating election loss.
One Liberal MP said whoever was voted leader would endure a barrage of criticism and complaints as the party grappled with the fallout of its election loss.
“I think everyone is looking for someone to take the first hit up and get smashed,” they said, suggesting the person immediately taking the top position would not ultimately lead the Coalition to the 2028 election.
Ms Ley released a statement on Sunday afternoon confirming the Liberal Party room would meet to elect a leader and deputy, with both positions to be declared vacant at the meeting.
“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,” she said.
Ms Ley acknowledged the election was a “very difficult night” for the party, and paid thanks to Mr Dutton, who lost his seat of Dickson to Labor.
“We wish him … all the very best for the future,” she said.
Multiple Liberal sources said Mr Taylor was the likely frontrunner to take over as opposition leader, though there is considerable anger within the remaining ranks of the Liberal Party room over what is seen as his association with the party’s loss.
MPs criticised the 58-year-old Rhodes scholar, who holds the NSW seat of Hume, for a lack of “coherent” tax policy and broader economic agenda, though his supporters have argued it was unfair to lay blame when others in leadership had significant sway over decisions.
Ms Ley, 63, has been deputy leader of the party since 2022 and is the only female candidate in the running for the position, though is considered an outside chance.
Mr Tehan, 57, a former diplomat and staffer who held onto his Victorian seat of Wannon despite a strong independent challenger, is seen as a potential consensus candidate if the others are too tainted by their association with the Dutton opposition.
One Liberal said they did not believe Mr Hastie, 42, a former SAS soldier who was first elected to parliament in the 2015 by-election in his Perth seat of Canning, would put his hand up to replace Mr Dutton as he still had “time” to build up his frontbench experience and following.
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Originally published as Liberal insider spills on what the party’s next leader will face
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