Pressure is mounting on Liberal frontbencher Angus Taylor to challenge leader Sussan Ley as the Coalition grapples with internal tensions and the threat of electoral setbacks. As senators sound the alarm over potential electoral losses, the party faces a critical juncture.
The Liberal and National parties have rejoined forces after a contentious three-week separation caused by a rift over hate speech legislation. Sussan Ley emphasized that the alliance is stronger united, with a shared goal of holding the Labor government accountable.
According to a Newspoll survey reported by The Australian on Monday, the Coalition’s primary vote has hit a record low of 17 percent, down from 21 percent in January.
The poll also reveals that support for One Nation has surged to 27 percent, narrowing the gap to just six points behind Labor. This development has sparked frustration among Liberal members.
Senator Jess Collins, a supporter of potential challenger Taylor, expressed the urgency for change following the poll results, acknowledging the party’s deteriorating position.
“We’re facing a dire situation,” Collins stated to reporters on Monday. “To regain the trust of our electorate, we need a fresh direction, and change is imperative.”
Former Opposition treasury spokesperson Taylor emerged as a potential challenger after fellow leadership aspirant Andrew Hastie bowed out of the race in late January.
With both men vying for the backing of the Liberals’ conservative wing, Hastie’s withdrawal cleared the runway for Taylor by averting a split in the right-faction vote.
Liberal senator Jane Hume said on Monday the poll results pointed to an “existential crisis” for the party.
She warned that if the poll results were replicated at an election, the Liberals would be left without a single seat in Victoria or NSW.
“I don’t know who’s left. At this point, we’re talking about a leadership contest between Sussan Ley and Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor. None of them will have seats after the next election if this continues, so something’s got to give,” she said.
Hume stopped short of “casting aspirations” about leadership, but argued for “something very different”, stating the party is “now at irrelevance”.
In order to mount a challenge, Taylor would need to step down from the front bench and then trigger a spill motion.
However, with the last Liberal party room meeting until March scheduled on Tuesday, it may require a special meeting.
Opposition legal affairs spokesperson Andrew Wallace insists that Ley has the backing of the party room, stating she needs a chance, having served less than 12 months since the Liberal Party’s historic defeat under Peter Dutton in the May 2025 federal election.
“Sussan deserves the opportunity to succeed. She is a strong voice for Liberal Party values, and she needs a team that will coalesce behind her,” he said.
Ley says job is safe, flags new policies
Ley insisted on Monday that she does not expect a leadership spill.
Asked on Sky News whether her job is safe, Ley replied: “Yes, it is.”
The Liberal leader urged colleagues to keep internal discussions to “inside the party room”.
“In public, we must present a credible alternative to the Australian people,” she told Sky News.
Ley also flagged the party would soon announce its immigration principles.
Expected by the end of February, they are likely to spell out an intention to lower Australia’s migration intake below current levels in a bid to stem the flow of voters to One Nation.
But that could prove too late to save her leadership.
Taylor failed to put rumours of a spill to bed on Friday, telling Sydney radio station 2GB he had leadership ambitions.
Pressed on whether Ley would still be leader in a week, he said a coup was not in the works but conceded he had been having conversations with his colleagues about the party’s future.
— With additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press.
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