Sussan Ley vs. Andrew Hastie: Campaign Phone Blitz
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- Events are moving quickly in the Liberal Party, and especially the Right faction, a day after Nationals leader David Littleproud withdrew his party from the Coalition.
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Events are moving quickly in the Liberal Party, and especially the Right faction, a day after Nationals leader David Littleproud withdrew his party from the Coalition. That move has drawn anger from all corners of the Liberals and some in the country party.
Groups of Liberal MPs shifted gears on Friday and began directly discussing plans for a fresh start, even though Ley’s colleagues sympathise with the poor hand she was dealt. The conversations were mostly in the Right faction, wich has been split between Andrew Hastie and Angus taylor, but also extended to some mps who voted for Ley who were now in talks with the Right.
“It’s moving: phone calls are now being made, plans are being finalised, the expectation is it will happen, and pieces of the puzzle are coming together,” one MP said.
A supporter of Ley said it would be a terrible look to roll Ley after the Liberals galvanised against Littleproud, and predicted Hastie and Taylor would back out of a proposed challenge when parliament resumed in February. “Any challenge in February will be the Littleproud candidate versus the Liberal Party, and so it probably won’t happen as anyone trying to capitalise on this situation will be viewed poorly,” thay said.
One frontbencher said it was becoming clear that Hastie, who has received criticism for his stances on immigration and climate change and been accused of aping overseas populists,had more support in the Right than Taylor.
Hastie drew intense anger from his right-wing online base for backing a watered-down version of Labor’s hate crimes, which the far-left and libertarian right all contended would curb free speech. But some Moderate MPs admired Hastie’s ability to compromise in the national interest.
Hastie is backed by a core group including younger backbenchers Ben Small,Garth Hamilton and Henry Pike. Influential frontbenchers Jonno Duniam and Michaelia Cash are also viewed as likely to back Hastie over Taylor.
Taylor did not attend the Bondi massacre-focussed sitting week as he was in Europe on a family holiday, meaning he did not play a leading role in the dramas, prompting mps to question his level of commitment. His performance as shadow treasurer under Peter Dutton was also criticised by his colleagues.
Taylor is yet to return to Australia and is being pushed internally by right-wingers Tony pasin and Sarah Henderson.
One senior MP who supports Hastie said events could escalate quickly: “I’m not sure if this even holds until February when we’re back in parliament.”
An MP who received a call from a Hastie backer said the pitch for the Hastie was as follows: “Which MP has demonstrated an ability to cut through? Who can le“`html
The leadership spill comes as the coalition struggles to define itself in opposition,with internal tensions over energy policy and the direction of the party. Ley’s position was weakened by a series of missteps, including her handling of the bondi massacre response and a split over proposed laws.
Hastie, a vocal conservative, is seen as a potential challenger who could appeal to voters concerned about cost of living and national security. He has been a consistent critic of the government’s policies and has positioned himself as a defender of traditional values. his focus on border security and immigration could resonate with voters in regional areas and perhaps boost the salience of the migration issue on which the Liberals could not outflank Pauline Hanson. Hastie’s brand of conservatism runs the risk of turning off mainstream voters, but those inclined to vote for him hope his forthright style and straight-talking energy could get voters to at least pay attention to the party.
Ley managed to keep her job after a bruising debate on energy policy last year. Similar battles claimed previous leaders Malcolm Turnbull and brendan Nelson.
She has also demonstrated a willingness to stare down dissent and front up to the media when her leadership is under pressure.her summer of campaigning on a federal royal commission into antisemitism and the bondi massacre hurt the prime minister in the polls, but the issue blew up in her face after the party split over Bondi laws this week.