Sussan Ley to Resign from Parliament After Leadership Loss
Canberra – Outgoing Liberal Party leader Sussan Ley announced today she will resign from parliament, stepping away from public life after losing a leadership challenge to Angus Taylor. The decision marks the end of a 25-year career for Ley, who represented the electorate of Farrer in New South Wales since 2001.
The announcement came shortly after Taylor secured the leadership in a secret ballot, winning 34 votes to Ley’s 17. Ley, who had served as opposition leader for just nine months, stated she harboured “no hard feelings” towards Taylor but emphasized the importance of him having “clear air” to lead the party, a pointed reference to the internal divisions that plagued her tenure.
“I will be spending the next couple of weeks thanking the amazing people of Farrer and expressing my gratitude today for the honour of representing them all for 25 years,” Ley told reporters. “Shortly thereafter, I will be tendering my resignation to the speaker. I’m not sure what comes next, I look forward to stepping away completely and comprehensively from public life, to spend time with my family.”
Ley’s position as leader had been precarious since she assumed the role following the Liberal Party’s defeat in the previous election. The party experienced internal splits under her leadership, and recent polling data indicated a decline in support, with the populist One Nation Party gaining ground. Ley’s personal ratings were also reportedly poor.
Angus Taylor, a former management consultant who entered parliament in 2013, narrowly lost a leadership contest to Ley in 2025. He previously served as a minister under both Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison. His election signals a shift towards the conservative faction within the Liberal Party.
The Liberal-National coalition has struggled to find consensus on the reasons for its electoral defeat, particularly regarding energy and climate policy. Ley acknowledged the challenges of her time as leader, describing it as “very tough” at times. However, she also reflected on her career with a characteristic blend of pragmatism and resilience, referencing her early involvement in the “punk rock movement” in Canberra and a “fearless and honest belief in yourself.”
Ley’s resignation will trigger a by-election in the seat of Farrer. The outcome of that election will be a key test for the newly installed leadership of Angus Taylor and the Liberal Party as they attempt to rebuild their support base and present a united front against the Labor government.
Beyond politics, Ley revealed plans to reconnect with a long-held passion: aviation. She obtained her commercial pilot’s license at age 19 and previously worked as an aerial stock-mustering pilot, regaining her license in 2024. “Which taught me, if I had an ego, I’d be dead,” she joked, adding, “It’s been quite useful in politics.”
