Sussan Ley addressed Australia following her crushing leadership defeat earlier this morning to Angus Taylor- 34 votes to 17.
Talking about her 25 years in Federal politics, serving as the member of Farrer she said she looked forward to “stepping away completely and comprehensively from public life” to spend time with family and to reconnect with her passions, including punk rock and aviation which she she said has taught her: “If I had an ego, I’d be dead– it’s been quite useful in politics”.
She also definitively ruled out retaining her seat and said she would be spending time with her constituents before formally tendering her resignation. This begs the question of whether the Liberal Party will put forward a female candidate in Farrer as replacement, given that with Ley’s resignation they will be down to a meagre five women in the Lower House.
Ley said that while her time as leader, after suffering the worst election defeat in 81 years, had undoubtedly been challenging, “every sleepless night, every intractable problem, indeed every personal challenge” had always been put in perspective by my understanding of the burdens that so many ordinary Australians face, quietly and without fuss. Every day.”
“Those Australians remain my inspiration. It is important that the new leader gets clear air. Something that is not always afforded to leaders”, she quipped with a smile.
But that was the extent of Ley’s snipes. She certainly didn’t raise the prospect of sexism in her ousting, instead saying she would “leave it for others to judge this period of my leadership. Now, and with the passing of time. While I am sure, plenty of people will have plenty to say, I’ve never sought to influence what other people think of me”.
She wished Taylor well, saying she had “no hard feelings”.
“I know he has experience, energy and drive. I know the whole team will have what it takes to fight this awful Labor government. I will be cheering them on.”
Thanking colleagues past and present, Ley also talked about her legacy and her pride in playing a role “in establishing a royal commission into anti Semitism” and landing on an energy policy last year. She said she was “also proud that after a difficult period, the coalition reformed stronger than before”.