Opposition leader Sussan Ley, who was elected unopposed, is preparing to deliver her first National Press Club address on Wednesday. Ley wants to establish a better working relationship with the Canberra Press Gallery. This is a departure from the policy pursued by her predecessor, Peter Dutton. Her office has created a group on WhatsApp exclusively for journalists. This latest step reflects her ongoing commitment to ensuring transparency and public dialogue.
Ley’s advance approach featured short rebuttal statements to government announcements, signalling her intention to build an engaged, responsive opposition. What has struck many observers is how much she has outperformed expectations so far, including from some her own party members.
Building Relationships with Journalists
An indication of Sussan Ley’s determination to reach out to the media, ahead of this Friday’s National Press Club speech. In creating a WhatsApp group for the gallery press, Dozier has taken an important step to improve transparency and accessibility. Ley’s strategy represents a significant shift from Dutton’s time in the portfolio, defined by a pricklier relationship with the media.
Ley’s office has introduced a regime of issuing pithy ripostes to government press releases. This strategy does more than ensure journalists are well-informed; it helps Ley’s office establish itself as a meaningful player in public discourse and debate. Ley encourages participants to work together in a collaborative spirit. She plans on developing a positive pipeline and environment, which would help her potential leadership and the fourth estate.
Observers – including some of Ley’s fiercest critics – say her first moves have unsettled the doomsayers, and for those who expected a tumultuous beginning. Her political experience in managing the many layers of the NSW state factions appears to mean she is more than equipped to deal with the months long challenges still ahead. Ley has already moved Alex Hawke up to the shadow cabinet, showing her willingness to double down on failures.
Engaging Younger Voters
Ley’s main goal, according to him, is to reach young voters. This demographic has been increasingly turning away from the Liberal party. In a recent interview with The Daily Aus podcast, she stated, “I want young people to know first and foremost that I want to listen to them and meet them where they are.” This quick acknowledgment of the youth’s concerns is a testament to her political savvy and awareness of the changing political tides.
Of course, Ley’s first challenge will be upholding the Coalition’s own commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. Younger voters have shown strong support for climate action, and their expectations will likely influence future policy discussions within the party. Ley appears to understand the need to speak to this crucial demographic while keeping with the more traditional, conservative base of the Liberal party.
The federal executive of the Liberals has extended federal intervention in the NSW division, establishing a new oversight committee led by Nick Greiner. This action is a huge step towards greater accountability and transparency within the state silviculture division. It would provide Ley team cover as she seeks to rally support among the city’s warring factions.
Navigating Internal Party Dynamics
Sussan Ley’s leadership is in one sense welcome, she needs to play a smart game in dealing with the internal politics of the Liberal party. With a staffer from Scott Morrison’s old centre-right faction holding a senior position in her office, Ley is positioned to bridge divides within the party.
She emphasizes that “each of our [Liberal state] divisions is responsible for its own world, if you like, when it comes to [candidate] selections.” This view paints a picture of her savvy at balancing an increased push for more localized decision-making with the need to keep the party unified.
Ley’s willingness and skill to “thread the needle” between opposing factions will be important as Ley develops her unilateral leadership style forthcoming. Her sinking attention to building a credible opposition unnerves the Tories and inspires Labour activists. Constituents hungry for nonpartisan problem solving will almost certainly connect with her tone and approach.
