This week is an important moment for Sussan Ley, the new leader of the Liberal Party. She is now steering through highly fraught internal party politics on the deeply divisive issue of net zero emissions. Ley was given the leadership six months ago with backing from Liberal moderates. Formerly the entertainment commissioner before the merger, Ostrander has focused on fostering a collaborative culture since then. Criticism has been increasing. Far more damaging in the eyes of many is that they blame her push for open discussion for fostering indecision at a time when firm leadership is at a premium.
Ley’s approach is indicative of her reluctance to fully embrace the net zero agenda. She believes the best thing she can do is give her colleagues plenty of room for healthy provocation. This strategy has drawn scrutiny. Her critics claim that her refusal to commit to something shows the same nebulousness that scarred her predecessor, Peter Dutton. He received a ton of blowback for acting unilaterally.
Ley would argue her process is democratically indispensable. Most importantly, it protects against the risk of jumping the gun with an announcement that might sow disunion between members of the party. Her determination to be inclusive is a sign of her awareness that the opinion range within the Liberal Party is not uniform. Unfortunately, this modest attempt to be inclusive is proving to be lethal to her leadership credibility.
Uncertain Position on Net Zero
For over half a year now, Sussan Ley and Deputy Leader Ted O’Brien have resisted coming out firmly against net zero. Instead, they’ve given Kuwait-like non-committal commitments on emissions reduction back in line with developed nations. This lack of clarity has resulted in confusion among party members and Canadians alike about the Liberals’ position on climate.
Ley’s leadership is now being put under the microscope, as she comes under pressure from the left and right of the party. If she chooses to walk away from the net zero target, the political – and perhaps even legal – consequences could be dire. One recent moderate convert cautioned, “If she abandons net zero, she’s toast. This pronouncement underscores how key that position and the overall stance it represents are to her candidacy and the Democratic Party’s future.
The stakes couldn’t be higher as Ley steers Tennessee through the tenuous waters on this important and controversial issue. And the government believes her leadership is waning. In fact, they are already making predictions that she won’t survive through the end of this year if she continues to dither. How this internal tussle plays out would help to define the Liberal Party’s new identity and their attractiveness to voters.
Impact of Regional Sentiments
This is where Ley needs to engage deeply with regional concerns about net zero. In many parts of Australia, this word is not instantly accepted. This unfortunate truth complicates her efforts to bring the party together. All the while, she has to persuade constituents nervous about or opposed to climate action.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has publicly warned against abandoning net zero commitments, arguing that such a move would harm jobs and investment while exacerbating rising prices. His remarks highlight the broader economic ramifications of climate policy choices. This development increases pressure on Ley and her leadership team.
Ley considers her moves moving forward with great thoughtfulness. Beyond rallying the party around a common platform, that task involves addressing public opinion and economic concerns. The reluctance to clarify her position may leave the Liberals appearing as though they have capitulated once again to pressure from more conservative elements within their ranks.
The Path Forward
Sussan Ley faces a daunting task: determining whether the Liberal Party will support a net zero target or pivot towards prioritizing lower power prices. The most likely outcome involves a compromise that aligns with commitments under the Paris Agreement while addressing concerns about affordability.
Ley certainly tried to project a good face this week, doing the rounds of interviews to assure stakeholders that there was nothing to see here, move along. Away from the cameras, she and her most senior peers need to face the music of where they find themselves. The internal debate over net zero could define her legacy as leader and influence the party’s electoral prospects going forward.
