A leadership crisis is brewing within the Liberal Party, and all eyes are on Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor as the potential challengers to Sussan Ley's position. The situation has become increasingly tense, with many Liberals believing that Ms. Ley's leadership is unsustainable.
The right faction of the party is faced with a difficult decision: choose one of these two men to take on the leadership challenge, or risk a messy split within their own ranks. Multiple sources have confirmed to the ABC that this consensus-building process is crucial before any spill can be called.
Ms. Ley's authority took a significant hit last week when the Nationals resigned from her frontbench and subsequently left the Coalition. While there is sympathy for Ms. Ley, who had little choice but to accept the initial resignations, the chaos that ensued has only strengthened the belief that a leadership change is imminent.
Supporters of Mr. Hastie are actively reaching out to colleagues, claiming he has better numbers than Mr. Taylor. Mr. Hastie has been strategizing with allies, considering a challenge either just before or during the upcoming parliamentary session. However, discussions have shifted away from an immediate spill due to logistical challenges.
Mr. Taylor, who has been on holiday in Europe, has yet to begin making calls to colleagues. One Liberal pointed out that Mr. Hastie has more freedom to gauge support on the backbench, whereas Mr. Taylor is bound by the shadow cabinet's solidarity not to openly criticize the current leader.
Other potential leadership candidates mentioned include Dan Tehan, Tim Wilson, and Ted O'Brien, the current deputy leader to Ms. Ley. Melissa McIntosh has also expressed interest in leading the Liberals in the future but has stated she is not actively seeking support or initiating a spill against Ms. Ley.
Multiple Liberal sources emphasized the preference for Hastie and Taylor to resolve their differences privately, to avoid a divisive contest. One Liberal described this view as "very widespread," while another called it "almost unanimous." They believe a successful spill vote and subsequent leadership ballot require the right faction to unite behind a consensus candidate.
The political fallout from the Nationals' departure has left the Liberal party room furious with David Littleproud, the Nationals' leader, for making Ms. Ley's removal a condition for a Coalition reunion. However, the reality of facing Labor as a diminished opposition has motivated leadership challengers.
One supporter of Ms. Ley expressed outrage at the idea of letting the Nationals dictate the Liberal leader, calling it "appalling."
Mr. Hastie's camp appears more eager to spill, with one Liberal hopeful that the situation can be resolved and reconciliation with the Nationals achieved before parliament resumes on February 3. This would prevent Labor from changing parliamentary procedures to exploit the split.
Currently, the Opposition would have just 28 seats in the lower house compared to Labor's 94, with a crossbench including the Nationals totaling 28 seats. After the Nationals' departure, Ms. Ley left the door open for reconciliation, giving them until the Australia Day long weekend to reconsider. However, Liberals are questioning who would take on portfolios previously held by Nationals members, given the uncertainty surrounding their return.
"Either you'd have to give it back when the Nationals returned, or you lose it as soon as the spill happens anyway," one Liberal said. The situation remains tense, and the outcome could have significant implications for the future of the Liberal Party and its relationship with the Nationals.
