Sussan Ley, the opposition leader, just last week fought off leadership speculation about an imminent internal coup in her party. Critics are cautioning that a coup early in the new year is “nearly inevitable.” Ley doesn’t budge, telling her colleagues she’s 100 percent convinced that she will still be in charge when the year is out. The party will gather in two weeks to decide on its official position on major issues, including legislative transparency. We’re hoping for a decision by the close of this parliamentary year.
Ley appears serene even as the knives sharpen among her enemies in the beleaguered Liberal Party. As Morrison takes his victory lap, potential challengers such as Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor are already making moves. Ley has avoided directly naming those stoking the speculation though she’s called their comments “insensitive.” She reiterated the importance of talks around Black leadership. Yet in spite of all this, she is still intent on steering her party through today’s stormy waters.
Ley’s Position on Climate Policy
As opposition leader, Sussan Ley has been keenly working to define her party’s position on climate policy. She is particularly passionate about the Priya’s Bill, the recently passed legislation in response to the pandemic. Ley strongly asserted that once she became a primary policy maker, she long ago took a pledge. She pledged that “there would be no zero at all costs.” Taking this pledge is consistent with her conviction that the party has to create a substantive and credible policy agenda in the years ahead.
During an interview on Wednesday morning, author James Patterson was saying the same thing as Ley. He reiterated the need to tackle the net zero question fast. He remarked that “we have to articulate that argument and that’s why resolving these issues is a prerequisite to having that debate with the government.” This mutual understanding suggests a collective effort within the party to address critical policy matters while maintaining unity amid internal pressures.
Ley was also the first to admit that her party has failed to sell their energy policy to the public. She stated, “The process has been good. It’s allowed us to come together and to talk, not just to each other, but to industry and experts.” Her overarching thread of collaboration speaks to an already palpable need for a unified vision to be taken in the future.
Internal Party Dynamics and Future Directions
The political atmosphere inside the ruling Liberal Party is decidedly toxic, rife with speculation over leadership coup and a possible successor. Ley has been under fire from some of her fellow members. On the government side, both Andrew Hastie and Barnaby Joyce spoke passionately about how the current laws were throwing up unintended consequences. Ley continues to make good on her promise leadership pledge. She looks forward to working with the Nationals and to developing a coordinated and effective League of Cities Coalition position.
Ley defended her approach against criticism, stating, “While commentary likes to focus on individuals and personalities, I’ve never seen it like that.” This frame focuses on her pledge to put policy above personal enmities. She underscored the urgency of coming together to address our country’s most critical challenges. “Then I’ll sit down with Nationals and work out a Coalition position jointly,” she said.
The next party meeting will be pivotal to shaping the party’s direction going forward. Climate policies and internal leadership dynamics Climate change policy has produced a perfect storm. Moves made in the next fortnight will play a decisive role in Ley’s stewardship and define the party heading into the new year — and likely far beyond.
