Sussan Ley, a member of the party’s moderate wing, has been elected leader of the Liberal Party of Australia, narrowly defeating her conservative rival, Angus Taylor, by just four votes following a major loss in the federal elections held on May 3rd.
This marks the first time the Liberal Party will be led by a woman. Ley succeeds Peter Dutton, under whose leadership the Liberal-National coalition suffered a historic defeat, losing dozens of seats in Parliament.
“Our party must regain the trust of women and young people,” stated Ley, who previously served as the party’s deputy leader and has held several ministerial positions since entering politics in 2001.
She pledged a comprehensive policy review, including reassessing the party’s stance on nuclear energy and its net-zero emissions targets. MP Ted O’Brien, one of the most vocal advocates for nuclear energy, was elected deputy leader of the party.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been sworn in for his second term after a decisive victory by the Labor Party, which secured at least 93 seats in Parliament.
Albanese has made significant cabinet changes, appointing Michelle Rowland as Attorney-General and removing Mark Dreyfus and Ed Husic from the executive frontbench.
