Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard has called on the Liberal Party to unite behind Sussan Ley as she faces mounting pressure within the party. Ley, who has led the coalition for approximately six months, has been the subject of speculation regarding her leadership following comments from Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson that suggested a decline in support for her position.
The internal conflict within the coalition has intensified in light of recent polling data, which shows the party’s primary vote has fallen to a record low of 24 percent. This decline coincides with ongoing debates about the country’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Ley responded to questions about her leadership with a firm statement, emphasizing she would not “comment on commentary.”
Howard, who served four terms as Prime Minister before losing the 2007 election to Labor’s Kevin Rudd, expressed confidence in Ley’s leadership. He remarked, “I think Sussan Ley has got to be given a go,” and urged her colleagues to support her. He characterized the current challenges as a “bad phase” for the Liberal Party but dismissed claims that it is in its worst state ever.
Calls for Unity and Focus on Policy
Howard highlighted the importance of maintaining strong ties with the National Party, stating that collaboration is “integral to success.” He cautioned against excessive internal disputes, suggesting that if the party focuses on policy and its core beliefs, it could recover from its current troubles. “If it spends all its time on internal bickering, it won’t,” he warned.
Ley’s leadership faces challenges from within her party. Both Angus Taylor and Andrew Hastie, her main rivals, have advocated for abandoning the net-zero target, further complicating her position. Henderson, who has been critical of the net-zero policy and was removed from the shadow cabinet after the recent election, expressed skepticism regarding Ley’s leadership. “I do think Sussan is losing support, but I do believe in miracles,” she stated in an interview with Sky News.
These internal divisions raise concerns about the party’s future direction and its ability to present a united front on crucial issues. Redbridge Group director Kos Samaras pointed out that the poor polling numbers reflect the actions of conservative coalition MPs who have been promoting divergent policy ideas post-election. He noted that criticism aimed at Ley may come from those who have contributed to the party’s declining popularity.
Upcoming Decisions on Climate Policy
The Liberal Party’s stance on the critical climate target is expected to be discussed in meetings scheduled for next week in Canberra. The outcomes of these discussions could significantly influence Ley’s leadership and the broader direction of the party in the lead-up to future elections.
As debates continue within the party, the pressure on Ley to navigate these challenges effectively will be crucial in determining her future as leader. Howard’s calls for unity and focus on policy may serve as a guiding principle for the coalition as it seeks to regain support among voters.
