Andrew Hastie, Angus Taylor considering move to backbench as other Liberals hustle for promotion
Liberals are hustling for a promotion to Sussan Ley’s frontbench, but two key future leadership rival MPs are bucking the trend.
Exclusive: Two of Sussan Ley’s future leadership rivals are mulling over a shift to the backbench as other Liberal MPs jostle for key roles in her shadow cabinet.
It is understood senior Liberal Andrew Hastie is considering spending some time focused on his electorate of Canning, south of Perth, while separately Angus Taylor is also open to stepping back if not asked to continue as the Coalition’s treasury spokesman.
Both MPs are considered potential Liberal leaders, but as Ms Ley plans her first shadow cabinet it is possible they will both opt not to feature.
Ted O’Brien, who as deputy leader has the power to choose his shadow portfolio, is widely expected to take the treasury role.
A source said in that event Mr Taylor, who narrowly lost Tuesday’s leadership ballot to Ms Ley 25 votes to 29, would likely opt to sit on the backbench, however there were a “handful of roles” that would be “difficult to say no to” if offered.
Chief among these would be foreign affairs, a position often offered to former leaders or leadership rivals.
Speaking to a podcast earlier this week, Mr Hastie said he was “happy to serve wherever the leader asks me”.
But sources familiar with Mr Hastie’s thinking said he was not necessarily interested in a role that would take him out of Western Australia too frequently.
Mr Hastie also said he had a “desire to lead” the Liberals, but the timing was currently “all out for personal reasons” and he backed Ms Ley to take the party to the 2028 election.
Ms Ley has vowed her shadow cabinet will be made up of both people who supported her for the leadership, and those who did not.
One Liberal MP said Ms Ley would have to find a “balance” between new faces and more senior MPs, adding there would likely have to be “some trial and error” in the coming years as the Liberals look to rebuild after their election wipe-out.
In the run up to Tuesday’s secret ballot, Ms Ley was forced to privately hose down rumours she had already offered some supporters key roles in exchange for their loyalty.
This included offering her Centre Right factional backer Alex Hawke, who served as immigration minister in the Morrison Government, the defence portfolio.
Multiple Liberals said Ms Ley had denied making this offer prior to the leadership ballot, with one MP saying it was now “impossible” for her to turn around and put Mr Hawke in that position.
It is understood Centre Right Liberal and Lindsay MP Melissa McIntosh is in line for the critical health portfolio, while multiple MPs are believed to be angling for the home affairs role, which was previously held by Victorian Senator James Paterson.
Several Liberals believed La Trobe MP Jason Wood was among those keen on home affairs, while others said they believed fellow Victorian, Wannon MP Dan Tehan, would be “great” in the job.
NSW Senator Andrew Bragg is believed to a potential option to take on the finance role, which has been Victorian Senator Jane Hume’s position for the last term.
Senior Liberals like the senate leadership team, consisting of West Australian Michaelia Cash and South Australian Anne Ruston, will remain on the frontbench.
Ms Ley is currently negotiating a new Coalition agreement with Nationals leader David Littleproud, who is angling for a greater share of more influential portfolios on behalf of the rural party.
Originally published as Andrew Hastie, Angus Taylor considering move to backbench as other Liberals hustle for promotion
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