2025 Liberal Party of Australia leadership election
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The 2025 Liberal Party of Australia leadership election was held on 13 May 2025 to elect the leader of the Liberal Party of Australia and, ex officio, Leader of the Opposition. The election took place after Peter Dutton lost his seat of Dickson at the 2025 federal election and resigned as Liberal leader.[1] The ballot was won by then-Deputy leader Sussan Ley, who became the first female leader of the Liberal Party.[2]
Ley and shadow treasurer Angus Taylor stated in advance that they would contest the leadership.[3][4] Country Liberal Northern Territory senator Jacinta Price previously announced her intention to contest the deputy leadership as Taylor's deputy after changing her federal affiliation from the National Party, but did not run after Taylor lost the leadership ballot to Ley.[5][6]
Background
[edit]2022 leadership election
[edit]The last Liberal Party leadership election was held on 30 May 2022, a week after then-leader and prime minister Scott Morrison led the party to defeat at the 2022 federal election against the Australian Labor Party led by Anthony Albanese after three terms in government, and subsequently resigned as Prime Minster and Liberal leader.[7][8] Incumbent deputy leader and treasurer Josh Frydenberg lost his seat of Kooyong to teal independent candidate Monique Ryan,[9] making him ineligible to contest the deputy leadership election. The leadership election was won by Peter Dutton, the outgoing leader of the house unopposed, while the deputy leadership election was won by Sussan Ley, the outgoing Minister for the Environment, also unopposed.[10]
2025 federal election
[edit]Initial predictions for the 2025 federal election had Dutton poised to lead the Liberal–National Coalition to victory after one term in opposition,[11] with the Coalition having taken the lead over Labor in November 2024.[12] From March 2025, Dutton's lead in the polls began to reverse,[13] largely attributed to the unpopularity of the second Trump administration in the United States;[14] the Coalition's campaign rhetoric somewhat mirrored Trump's campaign in 2024, in particular calling for asylum seekers to be detained offshore, cuts to the public sector workforce, and antagonism towards China.[15]
In the 2025 federal election, Dutton led the Coalition to a second consecutive defeat, with Labor increasing their majority,[16] with the Coalition recording their lowest seat share since 1946, the first election contested by the Liberal Party since their rebranding from the United Australia Party the year prior.[17]
Candidates
[edit]Leader
[edit]Declared
[edit]| Candidate | Electorate | Faction | Announced | Portfolio(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sussan Ley[18] | Farrer (NSW) | Moderate[19] | 9 May 2025[20] |
| |
|
Angus Taylor[21] | Hume (NSW) | National Right[22] | 8 May 2025[23] |
| |
Declined
[edit]- Andrew Hastie – Canning (WA); Shadow Minister for Defence (2022–present)[24]
- Dan Tehan – Wannon (Vic); Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (2022–present)[25]
- Tim Wilson – Goldstein (Vic); Assistant Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction (2021–2022)[26]
Deputy leader
[edit]Declared
[edit]| Candidate | Electorate | Faction | Portfolio(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ted O'Brien[27] | Fairfax (Qld) | Unaligned[27] |
| |
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|
Phillip Thompson | Herbert (Qld) | National Right | ||
Withdrew
[edit]| Candidate | Electorate | Withdrew | Faction | Portfolio(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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|
Jacinta Price[6] | Senator for the Northern Territory | 13 May 2025 | National Right[22] |
| |
Speculated
[edit]| Candidate | Electorate | Faction | Portfolio(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sarah Henderson[28] | Senator for Victoria | National Right[29] | ||
.jpg)
|
Melissa McIntosh[28] | Lindsay (NSW) | Centre Right[29][better source needed] |
| |
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|
Dan Tehan | Wannon (Vic) | Moderate[30] |
| |
Declined
[edit]- Jane Hume – Senator for Victoria; Shadow Minister for Finance (2022–2025)[28]
Endorsements
[edit]On 12 May 2025 (one day before the leadership vote), a document that had circulated within the Liberal Party was published by The Nightly, featuring the reported voting intentions of federal Liberal members.[31] The document showed Ley with the support of 21 members and Taylor with the support of 28 (including Linda Reynolds, who publicly endorsed Ley), while three members were uncommitted.[31] The actual vote saw Ley defeat Taylor 29 votes to 25.[31]
Reported voting intentions of federal Liberal members[31]
Sussan Ley
- Mary Aldred – MP for Monash (Vic)[26]
- Angie Bell – MP for Moncrieff (Qld)
- Andrew Bragg – Senator for New South Wales
- Scott Buchholz – MP for Wright (Qld) (document claimed supported Taylor)[32]
- Richard Colbeck – Senator for Tasmania
- Alex Hawke – MP for Mitchell (NSW)[32]
- Hollie Hughes – outgoing Senator for New South Wales (publicly endorsed Ley)[33]
- Jane Hume – Senator for Victoria
- Gisele Kapterian – MP for Bradfield (NSW)[26]
- Maria Kovacic – Senator for New South Wales
- Julian Leeser – MP for Berowra (NSW)
- Melissa McIntosh – MP for Lindsay (NSW)
- Andrew McLachlan – Senator for South Australia
- Leon Rebello – MP for McPherson (Qld)
- Linda Reynolds – outgoing Senator for Western Australia (publicly endorsed Ley; document claimed supporting Taylor)[34]
- Anne Ruston – Senator for South Australia
- Dave Sharma – Senator for New South Wales
- Dean Smith – Senator for Western Australia
- Dan Tehan – MP for Wannon (Vic)
- Tim Wilson – MP for Goldstein (Vic)
- Jason Wood – MP for La Trobe (Vic) (document claimed supported Taylor)[32]
- Tom Venning – MP for Grey (SA)
- Zoe McKenzie – MP for Flinders (Vic)
Angus Taylor
- Alex Antic – Senator for South Australia
- Wendy Askew – Senator for Tasmania
- Leah Blyth – Senator for South Australia
- Slade Brockman – Senator for Western Australia
- Michaelia Cash – Senator for Western Australia
- Claire Chandler – Senator for Tasmania (publicly endorsed Taylor)[35]
- Jonathon Duniam – Senator for Tasmania
- Garth Hamilton – MP for Groom (Qld)
- Andrew Hastie – MP for Canning (WA)
- Sarah Henderson – Senator for Victoria
- Simon Kennedy – MP for Cook (NSW)
- Kerrynne Liddle – Senator for South Australia
- James McGrath – Senator for Queensland
- Ted O'Brien – MP for Fairfax (Qld)
- Matt O'Sullivan – Senator for Western Australia
- Tony Pasin – MP for Barker (SA)
- James Paterson – Senator for Victoria
- Henry Pike – MP for Bowman (Qld)
- Jacinta Price – Senator for the Northern Territory (publicly endorsed Taylor)[36]
- Ben Small – MP for Forrest (WA)
- Phillip Thompson – MP for Herbert (Qld)
- Aaron Violi – MP for Casey (Vic)
- Andrew Wallace – MP for Fisher (Qld)
- Rick Wilson – MP for O'Connor (WA)
Uncommitted
- Cameron Caldwell – MP for Fadden (Qld)
- David Fawcett – Senator for South Australia
- Melissa Price – MP for Durack (WA)
Committed for unknown candidate
Not voting
- Terry Young – MP for Longman (Qld) (focusing on election count in his seat)[37]
Sussan Ley
[edit]List of Sussan Ley endorsements
Federal Liberal members
- Hollie Hughes – outgoing Senator for New South Wales[33]
- Linda Reynolds – outgoing Senator for Western Australia[34]
Former federal Liberal members
- Warren Entsch – MP for Leichhardt (1996–2007; 2010–2025)[27]
Former heads of government
- Nick Greiner – Premier of New South Wales (1988–1992)[38]
- Barry O'Farrell – Premier of New South Wales (2011–2014)[38]
- Gladys Berejiklian – Premier of New South Wales (2017–2021)[39]
- Jeff Kennett – Premier of Victoria (1992–1999)[38]
- Shane Stone – Chief Minister of the Northern Territory (1995–1999) and former Liberal Party president[38]
Other politicians
- Shirlee Burge – councillor for Edward River[40]
- Doug Curran – Mayor of Griffith (independent)[40]
Angus Taylor
[edit]List of Angus Taylor endorsements
Federal Liberal members
Former heads of government
Tim Wilson
[edit]List of Tim Wilson endorsements
Former federal Liberal members
- Jason Falinski – MP for Mackellar (2016–2022) and former New South Wales Liberal Party president[42]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Kapetopoulos, Fotis (3 May 2025). "Peter Dutton falls: A Historic loss for the Liberals and a changing Australia". Neos Kosmos. Archived from the original on 6 May 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
- ^ McIlroy, Tom; Dhanji, Krishani (13 May 2025). "Sussan Ley elected first female Liberal party leader and leaves possibility open of Coalition abandoning net zero targets". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 13 May 2025.
- ^ Evans, Jake (7 May 2025). "Liberal leadership race narrows to two likely contenders, Ley and Taylor, as MPs split over nuclear". ABC News. Archived from the original on 7 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ Jervis-Bardy, Dan (8 May 2025). "Jacinta Nampijinpa Price defects to Liberals and hints she could contest party's deputy leadership". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 8 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ AAP (12 May 2025). "Jacinta Price announces tilt for deputy leadership of the Liberal Party after defecting from the Nationals". NITV. Archived from the original on 13 May 2025. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ^ a b Sakkal, Paul (8 May 2025). "Jacinta Price defects to Liberals, expected to run as Angus Taylor's deputy". The Age. Archived from the original on 13 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ "Documents relating to the swearing-in of new government" (PDF). Governor-General of Australia. 23 May 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
- ^ Maiden, Samantha (22 May 2022). "Scott Morrison resigns as leader after election bloodbath for Liberal Party". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
- ^ "Josh Frydenberg concedes defeat in seat of Kooyong". ABC News. 23 May 2022. Archived from the original on 19 April 2025. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
- ^ Karp, Paul (30 May 2022). "Peter Dutton elected unopposed as Liberal party leader with Sussan Ley as deputy". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 8 May 2025. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
- ^ Packer, Clareese (11 November 2024). "Peter Dutton rises in popularity in a fresh blow to Anthony Albanese according to latest poll". The Australian. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ^ Worthington, Brett (14 October 2024). "Peter Dutton's Coalition takes the lead in Newspoll, surpassing Anthony Albanese's psychological milestone". ABC News. Archived from the original on 29 March 2025. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
- ^ "Labor Consolidates 51%-49% Lead; Albanese ties Dutton in voter satisfaction for the first time in a year". YouGov. 14 March 2025. Archived from the original on 1 May 2025. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
- ^ Davies, Anne (16 April 2025). "Too much like Trump? Australia's opposition leader Peter Dutton risks turning off voters". The Guardian. Sydney. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 6 May 2025. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
- ^ Watson, Katy; Ng, Kelly (3 May 2025). "He wanted to be Australia's PM. But a 'Trump effect' thwarted Peter Dutton". BBC News. Sydney and Brisbane. Archived from the original on 6 May 2025. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
- ^ Yussuf, Ahmed; Apap, Veronica; Hewson, Georgie; Wiseman, Lewis; Cooper, Luke; Thorpe, Andrew; Rawling, Caitlin; Truu, Maani; Tregenza, Holly; Boscaini, Joshua; and Gould, Courtney (2 May 2025). "Federal Election 2025: Anthony Albanese claims victory for Labor as Peter Dutton voted out of seat of Dickson — as it happened". ABC News. Archived from the original on 13 May 2025. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
- ^ Crowley, Tom (4 May 2025). "No clear favourite as Liberals weigh Dutton successor". ABC News. Archived from the original on 5 May 2025. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
- ^ Taylor, Caleb (9 May 2025). "Sussan Ley confirms she will run for Liberal Party leadership after wipeout at federal election". 7News. Archived from the original on 13 May 2025. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
- ^ Massola, James (8 April 2023). "How Morrison's shattering defeat gave Dutton a seismic shift in factional power". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 7 May 2025. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
- ^ Sakkal, Paul and Ireland, Olivia (8 May 2025). "Sussan Ley declares Liberal leadership candidacy after party 'let Australian women down'". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 8 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ Shteyman, Jacob (3 May 2025). "Liberal leaders emerging after Dutton demolition". The Nightly. AAP. Archived from the original on 13 May 2025. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
- ^ a b Patrick, Aaron (8 May 2025). "Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price's shift to Liberals bolsters Angus Taylor's leadership campaign". The Nightly. Archived from the original on 8 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ Coorey, Phillip and Kehoe, John (8 May 2025). "Taylor vows Liberal rebuild after securing Price's defection". Australian Financial Review. Archived from the original on 8 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ Bourke, Latika M (5 May 2025). "Who will replace Peter Dutton? WA MP Andrew Hastie won't put hand up for Liberal leadership contention". The Nightly. Archived from the original on 6 May 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
- ^ Aidone, David (9 May 2025). "Ley in, Tehan out of Liberal leadership bid as rift over Price's defection emerges". SBS News. Archived from the original on 9 May 2025. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ^ a b c Sakkal, Paul (12 May 2025). "Littleproud sees off challenger and Ley thinks she has the numbers". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 13 May 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
Newly re-elected Goldstein MP Tim Wilson tested support for a leadership tilt for the past two days but on Monday night declared he would not run after telling colleagues the contest was too early for him.
- ^ a b c McIlroy, Tom and Dhanji, Krishani (6 May 2025). "Who will be the next leader of the Liberal party? These are the MPs in the race". The Guardian. Explainer. Archived from the original on 8 May 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ^ a b c Patrick, Aaron (7 May 2025). "Liberal leadership contender Sussan Ley promising jobs for votes: party source". The Nightly. Archived from the original on 8 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ a b Massola, James (21 March 2021). "Who's who in the Liberals' left, right and centre factions?". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 22 March 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2025.[better source needed]
- ^ Eltham, Ben (7 May 2025). "Dan Tehan in the leadership mix? Who'd have thunk it!". Crikey. Archived from the original on 7 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
Tehan is a moderate, hailing from the centre faction of the federal party
- ^ a b c d Patrick, Aaron (12 May 2025). "Angus Taylor ahead of Sussan Ley in tight Liberal Party leadership contest". The Nightly. Archived from the original on 12 May 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- ^ a b c Jervis-Bardy, Dan (13 May 2025). "The Liberals have a long road to relevance – and Sussan Ley's slim victory means she begins on shaky foundations". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 16 May 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ a b 7NEWS Australia [@7NewsAustralia] (6 May 2025). "Outgoing Liberal Senator Hollie Hughes has thrown her support behind Deputy Liberal Leader Sussan Ley to steer the party out of the shadows following the crushing defeat in Saturday's federal election" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 6 May 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025 – via Twitter.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b Page, Jessica (5 May 2025). "Linda Reynolds calls for female leadership to fix Liberal mess, 'unsure' if Andrew Hastie will step up". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 5 May 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- ^ a b Ireland, Olivia (10 May 2025). "Ley releases video pitch for Lib leadership as senator backs rival". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 10 May 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price to run for deputy leader of Libs after surprise defection from Nats". NT Independent. 12 May 2025. Archived from the original on 16 May 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ Chambers, Geoff and Ison, Sarah (12 May 2025). "Sussan Ley confident of pipping Angus Taylor in Liberal leadership battle". The Australian. Archived from the original on 12 May 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- ^ a b c d Crowe, David and Sakkal, Paul (7 May 2025). "Ley gets backing from party elders as Liberal leadership battle grows hostile". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 7 May 2025. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ^ Hampson, Matt (10 May 2025). "Former New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian backs Sussan Ley to lead Liberal Party ahead of ballot". Sky News Australia. Archived from the original on 10 May 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ^ a b Walker, Alice; Holdsworth, Rachel; and Krieg, Sarah (11 May 2025). "Sussan Ley's leadership push met with support and reservations in Farrer". ABC News. Archived from the original on 11 May 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
- ^ Page, Fleta (11 May 2025). "Tony Abbott backs Taylor, Price for Liberal leadership". Australian Financial Review. Archived from the original on 11 May 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
- ^ Falinski, Jason (11 May 2025). "Why Tim Wilson should be the next Liberal leader". Australian Financial Review. Archived from the original on 11 May 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2025.