Liberals to choose a new party leader after Peter Dutton’s election loss

Liberal MPs and Senators arriving at Parliament House in Canberra have mostly been tight-lipped about whether they will vote for Sussan Ley or Angus Taylor to become the party’s new leader.

Liberal MPs and Senators arriving at Parliament House in Canberra have mostly been tight-lipped about whether they will vote for Sussan Ley or Angus Taylor to become the party’s new leader.

Few people revealed who they intended to support in the secret ballot as they walked into the building on Tuesday morning, but Tasmanian Senator Richard Colbeck revealed he would be backing Ms Ley at the 10am meeting.

“I’ll be supporting Sussan,” he said. “I think if we’re going to be seen to be doing ... things differently, we need to actually need to do things differently.

“Rather than talk about it ... we should actually do it.”

Tasmanian Senator Richard Colbeck revealed he would be backing Ms Ley at the 10am meeting. Picture: Simon Sturzaker

NSW MP Alex Hawke, who is widely known to be aligned with Ms Ley, said he was going to “think about it”.

“I’ve got a few more conversations to have with colleagues, and I’ll make a decision like everybody else,” he said.

“I think you’ll find people are still mulling over their choice. We’ve got two good options, so either way we’re going to have a strong leader.”

South Australian Senator Alex Antic said “democracy” when asked who he would vote for.

Victorian Senator Jane Hume was also evasive, praising both contenders.

“I think we’re very lucky in the Liberal Party to have two fantastic contenders, Angus Taylor is probably one of the biggest economic brains in the parliament so he’s an extraordinarily talented individual, but the opportunity to vote for a first female leader of the Liberal Party is really exciting too. Sussan’s been around for a long time, she’s really experienced, so it’s going to be a good day.

NSW Senator Andrew Bragg said he would not be “telegraphing” his personal decision in the media.

“It’s very good to have an internal contest, I think that’s really good, it’s not about the party it’s about the country so looking forward to having an internal contest, which is always healthy,” he said.

‘ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN’: LIBERALS TO PICK NEW LEADER

Supporters of both leadership contenders are confident of their chances in the secret ballot, with multiple sources claiming each side about 20 votes locked in.

Despite this positive posturing, one Liberal MP said “anything could happen in the room on the day”.

There will be 54 Lower House MPs and senators voting for the leader, unless Member for Longman Terry Young — who is trailing Labor in a knife-edge count in his Queensland seat — is a last-minute omission.

Aspiring Liberal Party leadership contender, Sussan Ley shared these pictures of her family from Mother's Day. Picture: Supplied

Northern Territory Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price is the only person to have formally announced she will put her hand up to run as deputy leader of the Liberals, having defected to the party from the Nationals last week.

Ms Price is effectively on joint ticket with Mr Taylor, who on Sunday came out in support of her candidacy.

Ms Ley’s supporters have said she would work with whoever the party elected deputy, with Queensland frontbencher Ted O’Brien thought to be considering a run.

Newly returned Goldstein MP Tim Wilson ruled himself out of a leadership tilt on Monday evening, having earlier contemplated the move, but ultimately deciding it was “not my time”.

Mr Taylor, who has the endorsement of former prime minister Tony Abbot, has promised to return the party to its core values.

Angus Taylor and wife Louise at their home in Gundary, NSW. Picture: Martin Ollman

“We need to show the country that we’re serious about aspiration, opportunity, and backing Australians to get ahead,” he said.

Ms Ley, who has been backed be several past state Liberal leaders including NSW’s Gladys Berejiklian and Victoria’s Jeff Kennett, said she wanted to “modernise” the party.

“We need to change, the Liberal Party must respect modern Australian, reflect modern Australia and represent modern Australia,” she said.

Both leadership contenders have conceded the Liberals need to work hard to recruit and promote women, a cohort who turned against the party en masse at last Saturday’s election.

Betting agencies have favoured Ms Ley to win the ballot, with TAB listing her at $1.55 compared to $2.30 for Mr Taylor, and Sportsbet having her at $1.72 compared to $2.25 for her opponent.

Newly returned Goldstein MP Tim Wilson ruled himself out of a leadership tilt on Monday evening. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Meanwhile on Monday, David Littleproud held onto his position as Nationals Party leader after an unsuccessful challenge from Queensland Senator Matt Canavan.

Kevin Hogan, who represents the regional NSW electorate of Page, was elected the party’s new deputy leader at the meeting, replacing Perin Davey who lost her NSW senate seat at the election.

Ms Davey has suggested the Nationals’ renegotiate its senate deal with the Liberals in NSW that had pushed her into the unwinnable position, but Mr Littleproud said he would not be broadcasting his plans before the Coalition talks happened.

Mr Littleproud said he had not spoken with Ms Price since she defected to the Liberals, but wished her well.

“Her ambition exceeds what the National Party can offer,” he said.

Originally published as Liberals to choose a new party leader after Peter Dutton’s election loss