Angus Taylor has been elected as the new leader of The Liberal Party after a dramatic partyroom ballot that has ended Sussan Ley’s nine-month tenure at the helm.
Taylor secured the leadership in a vote held at 9am on Friday, defeating Ley 34 votes to 17. While the contest had been expected to be closely fought, the result delivered a clear majority in Taylor’s favour.
It was an emphatic win for Taylor, who had been defeated by Ley 29-25 in May 2025.
Liberal Senator Jane Hume was elected deputy leader, defeating Ted O’Brien 30-20 after a four-way contest that also included Dan Tehan and Melissa Price.
Speaking to reporters after the ballot, Ley accepted the partyroom’s decision and thanked her supporters.
“I want to express gratitude to the Liberal Party that I have belonged to and loved more than half of my adult life,” Ley said.
“For those who did not (support me), I genuinely have no hard feelings. I wish Angus Taylor well. I know he has experience, energy and drive.”
Former prime minister Tony Abbott endorsed Taylor’s leadership, describing him as the “right man at the right time”.
However, Abbott urged Liberal MPs to “get behind him” while declaring Taylor could lead the party to an election victory.
“He will be a strong alternative to a bad government, he will show strength to the government,” Abbott told Sky News.
Victorian Liberal MP Tim Wilson dismissed speculation that he would seek the deputy’s leadership, stating he had “no interest” in the position.
In a post on X on Friday morning, Wilson moved to address rumours circulating ahead of the ballot.
“Morning Australia! Having read a lot of speculation, I have advised colleagues that I have no interest in the Deputy Leadership,” he wrote.
Wilson instead emphasised broader political priorities.
“I love Australia, and I want a nation built on respect, where hard work pays off and Australians have more control over their lives,” he said in the same post.
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