A group of male Liberal politicians is signaling the end of Sussan Ley's leadership reign. However, the timing of their actions is highly inappropriate, as it coincides with a memorial service for a late colleague.
The revelation of a clandestine meeting between right-wing Liberal men, including Angus Taylor, Andrew Hastie, Jonno Duniam, and Matt O'Sullivan, has sparked a political scandal. This gathering took place just hours before a memorial service for Katie Allen, a former colleague who died of cancer. The meeting was reportedly facilitated by Michael Sukkar and also attended by James Paterson.
The internal plot to oust Sussan Ley has escalated into a political drama, with the right-faction colleagues hoping for a swift resolution. However, the process has been drawn out, giving Ley more time to prepare. Taylor, who was overseas when the leadership campaign began, believes his seniority entitles him to the faction's support. Meanwhile, Hastie's camp insists he has the necessary numbers.
The private stalemate has led to intense speculation, with Hastie's supporters viewing his Australia Day email as a potential announcement. Despite interventions from conservative figures like Tony Abbott, the situation remains unresolved. The media has been abuzz with speculation, and the timing of the meeting has caused outrage among Liberal MPs and the public.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, described the talks as 'astonishing' and questioned the timing, especially given the recent national day of mourning for the Bondi massacre victims. The meeting concluded without a resolution, making a leadership spill less likely when parliament resumes on Tuesday. However, it has confirmed that a challenge is imminent.
The involvement of Duniam, Paterson, and Taylor, who are part of Ley's leadership team, highlights the seriousness of the plot. Their presence at the meeting suggests a coordinated effort to remove Ley, contrary to initial characterizations by some of her allies.
In an interview, Paterson acknowledged his support for Ley, stating that he would not be in his current position without her. However, his response was not a strong endorsement, and Duniam also avoided directly supporting Ley, calling for an end to the speculation.
The ongoing political drama raises questions about the future of Ley's leadership and the potential consequences for the Liberal Party.
