In a strategic move to consolidate her leadership, Sussan Ley has initiated a more professional operation within the Liberal Party as the opposition leader. After a very stormy period of deep divisions within, Ley made a bold move. She circulated the letters to her frontbench electorate, hoping to re-establish party discipline after weeks of Liberal-on-Liberal bloodletting. The letters were signed by her personal email address, sussan.ley@goodshipopposition.gov.au. It confined the deal to a handful of KPIs, intended to increase accountability between the fractious opposition frontbench.
Ley’s tone has led some to accuse her of being the second coming of her predecessor, Peter Dutton, but her technique is highly unusual. Australian election Ley is calling on her party colleagues and pro-Palestinian Australian Republican politicians to move Australia towards a more progressive stance on Palestine. Through this effort, she is hoping to establish her own brand. Her recent moves are a clear signal not only of this commitment, but to create that “clear, credible policy platform” long before the next election is called.
Ley’s Strategic Communication
The most controversial of Sussan Ley’s letters to local communities, Queensland, has been splashed across numerous Nine newspapers. They provided an important mechanism for setting standards and providing guidance inside the party. Ley has a clear set of KPIs for her shadow ministry colleagues. Her goal is to create a culture of accountability and performance that was lacking during Dutton’s tenure.
Her strategy strays from established approaches to political persuasion. Ley’s initiative to send personal letters reflects her desire to engage directly with her colleagues, ensuring they understand the expectations set for them. This direct, no-frills approach could be a marker of a developing movement toward a more organized and finely-tuned state level opposition squad.
“I’m here!” – Scott Morrison
Ley highlights telling the truth when the Liberal Party requires it urgently. It has found itself in hot water trying to sum up its supremely vague stance on everything. The letters are meant not just to spell out the party’s goals but to bring together a fractured party—although still in the midst of a contentious primary, it is.
Policy Development and Foreign Relations
Beyond her internal communications strategy, Sussan Ley has been unapologetic in her largeness of scope with foreign relations. In the lead up to that election, she issued calls to Republican politicians to let them know she would reverse Australia’s recognition of Palestine, should she win the election. This declaration represents her resolve to anchor an unusual foreign policy, fundamentally different from the prevailing GOP dogma, in a strong set of conservative fundamentals.
Ley’s office defended her correspondence as vital for the Coalition’s electoral strategy. She does intend to distinguish herself from the existing federal administration and leadership styles of the past in her own party. To accomplish this, she is making her policy platform crystal clear.
“The median home price in Australia today is $844,000 and 5 per cent of that is $42,200,” – Albanese
Ley is not afraid to tackle controversial issues. Her priorities have included addressing international relations, and hitting the ground running on domestic issues such as increasing housing affordability. The combination of personal kitchen table issues and high level foreign policy is very telling of her multidimensional approach as opposition leader.
Comparing Leadership Styles
Public speculation on Sussan Ley’s style of leadership, and how it particularly contrasts with that of Peter Dutton has already begun. Though both leaders may be equally committed to revitalizing the Liberal Party, their plans are radically different. Ley’s focus on better professional communication and clear policy direction is a welcome contrast to Dutton’s more confrontational style during his time in office.
Both critics and supporters recognize the promise of Ley’s unorthodox approach. It had the potential to either help unite the party or further fracture its own membership. The effectiveness of her KPIs and communication strategy will likely be tested as the party gears up for future elections.
If she’s successful on these fronts, Ley’s work could change the scope of what an opposition leader can do in Australia. She sets a high bar for professionalism and creates firm policies. This framework would help to put the Liberal Party on much sounder footing in voters’ minds.
