In a historic move, the Liberal Party of Australia has elected Sussan Ley as its new leader, marking the first time a woman has ever headed the party in its 80-year history. Her appointment follows the resignation of Peter Dutton, who stepped down after leading the party to a crushing defeat in the recent federal elections.
Ley Narrowly Defeats Conservative Challenger
Ley, a member of the party’s moderate faction, narrowly beat conservative rival Angus Taylor by just four votes, according to ABC News. Her elevation comes in the wake of the May 3 election, where the Liberal-National coalition saw its worst performance ever—falling from 58 seats to just 42. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Labour Party secured a dominant win with at least 93 seats.
Political observers and internal party voices have blamed the loss on what they described as “divisive leadership,” an erratic campaign, and extreme “Trumpian” policies that alienated younger voters and women.
From Pilot to Politician: Sussan Ley’s Journey
Sussan Ley’s path to politics has been anything but conventional. Born on December 14, 1961, in Kano, Nigeria, to British parents, she spent her early years in the United Arab Emirates before moving to Australia at age 13.
Ley developed a passion for aviation early on and earned her commercial pilot’s licence after working multiple jobs to support her dream. Between 1983 and 1985, she worked as an air traffic controller at major airports in Sydney and Melbourne. She later flew commercially and took on roles in aerial stock-mustering and farming, including time as a wool and beef farmer in rural Victoria.
After becoming a mother, Ley pursued higher education over a decade of part-time study, eventually earning three degrees: a Bachelor’s in Economics, and two Master’s in Taxation Law and Accounting.
She joined the Australian Taxation Office in Albury and rose to become Director of Technical Training before entering politics in 2001. Winning her first election by just 206 votes, she has since been re-elected seven times to represent the rural electorate of Farrer in New South Wales.
Previous Ministerial Roles and Controversies
Ley has held several ministerial positions, including Health, Sport, and Aged Care in 2016. However, she resigned after a controversy involving a taxpayer-funded trip used to purchase an apartment on the Gold Coast. She later apologised for the incident.
In 2019, she returned as Environment Minister under then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Her role drew legal scrutiny when she was taken to court by a group of teenagers and a nun over her responsibilities in tackling climate change. Although the initial ruling against her was later overturned, it remained a notable moment in her tenure.
Ley’s political views have also evolved over time. She once co-chaired the Parliamentary Friends of Palestine, advocating for Palestinian autonomy. However, a colleague later remarked that she had “seen the light on Israel.”
With her election, Sussan Ley faces the challenge of rebuilding the Liberal Party and reconnecting with voters, particularly women and younger Australians, as she steers the party into a new era.
