Taylor’s chances of winning the role improved yesterday with Senator Jacinta Price’s switch from the Nationals to the Liberal Party. Price is anticipated to be his deputy leader running mate.

Taylor confirmed he was throwing his hat into the ring to the Australian Financial Review, saying Price was a great addition to the Liberal ranks.

“I strongly welcome a strong, capable woman in Jacinta,” Taylor said.

“We want as many people in the Liberal Party room as possible.”

Price is a senator for the Northern Territory branch and the Coalition’s shadow Indigenous Australians minister.

Ley, from the moderate wing of the Liberals, confirmed this morning she would be taking a tilt for the leader’s role.

Liberal party chiefs confirmed today they’ll be holding a party room ballot to elect a new leader next Tuesday at 10am.

The party is in search of a new leader following Peter Dutton’s unprecedented loss of his own seat as opposition leader in last Saturday’s federal election in Australian history.

Dutton was ejected from the Brisbane seat of Dickson, which he had held for 24 years, by Labor’s Ali France.