Sussan Ley has set a transformative tone for the Liberal Party, opening her major address at the National Press Club with a respectful acknowledgement of country and a commitment to valuing public service. This marks a significant shift in approach for the party, which faced a devastating loss in the recent federal election, particularly in urban areas across Australia.
In her inaugural address as leader to the press club—a platform neglected by her predecessor Peter Dutton—Ley articulated her vision for a reimagined Liberal Party. She candidly acknowledged the party’s electoral defeat, stating, “we got smashed,” and recognized that their policies were “comprehensively rejected” by voters.
Rebuilding the Liberal Party
The Liberal Party is now in the process of reviewing its electoral loss and is conducting a broader examination of its future direction. A critical focus is the party’s dwindling representation of women in parliament, with ongoing debates about the potential introduction of quotas to address this issue.
Ley emphasized her determination to enhance female representation, stating, “If some state divisions choose to implement quotas, that is fine. If others don’t, that is also fine. But what is not fine is not having enough women.” As the first female leader of the federal party, she underscored the need to “do better, recruit better, retain better and support better.”
Energy Policy and Net Zero Challenges
As part of the party’s strategic reset, Ley announced the formation of a working group to tackle the contentious issue of energy and emissions reduction policies. The Coalition had campaigned on a bold plan to build seven nuclear power plants—a significant shift in Australia’s energy landscape. However, following their electoral defeat, internal divisions over climate policy have surfaced.
The working group, led by opposition energy spokesman Dan Tehan, includes key figures such as Shadow Treasurer Ted O’Brien and opposition resources spokeswoman Susan McDonald. Their task is to develop a policy that ensures a “stable” and “affordable” energy grid while committing to emissions reduction.
“We need to develop a policy that is stable and affordable, ensuring Australia plays its part in the global effort,” Ley stated.
Respect for Public Service and Personal Reflections
Recounting her own history in public service, Ley highlighted her experience at the Australian Tax Office, which shaped her understanding of economic management and reinforced her respect for public service. This respect is a stark contrast to the party’s previous unpopular stance on public service cuts during the election campaign.
In another significant gesture, Ley began her address with an acknowledgement of traditional owners, signaling a departure from Dutton’s previous comments about Indigenous acknowledgements being “overdone.”
Setting Priorities for the Future
While the party continues to refine its policies, Ley outlined several priorities for the current term. She stressed the need to increase Australia’s defense spending in response to global instability, aligning with U.S. demands to raise defense expenditure to 3.5% of GDP.
“We must further lift our defense spending as global instability erodes further,” Ley asserted.
Addressing family violence and child safety also emerged as key concerns for Ley. She shared personal experiences to underscore her commitment to these issues, stating, “I understand the fear you feel when you go for a walk alone because I have felt that fear too.”
Furthermore, Ley criticized tech giants for profiting from “addictive technology” targeting children and highlighted the dangers of artificial intelligence technologies that “commoditise our kids and deep fakes [that] ruin the lives of women.”
In conclusion, Ley emphasized the need for the Coalition to present an agenda that fosters aspiration and reconnects with Australians, urging her party to be judged by the next federal election result in 2028 rather than current headlines or polling.
