Sussan Ley has been elected leader of the Liberal Party, making history as the first woman to hold the role.
Ley narrowly beat Angus Taylor in Tuesday’s leadership ballot, winning 29 votes to 25.
Ted O’Brien, a Queensland MP, was elected deputy leader.
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The leadership change follows a chaotic period for the Liberals, including Peter Dutton losing his Dickson seat and growing internal pressure to reset the party’s direction.
Ley, the long-serving MP for Farrer in regional New South Wales, has held multiple portfolios in past Coalition governments.
“Many Australians, including women and younger Australians, feel neglected by the Liberal Party,” she said.
“We need to listen and we need to change. The Liberal Party must respect modern Australia, reflect modern Australia and represent modern Australia,” she added.
Taylor has responded to his narrow loss in the Liberal leadership ballot.
He congratulated Ley and described her election as a “milestone” for both herself and the party.
“Sussan has led a remarkable life and becoming the first woman to lead the Liberal Party is a milestone for Sussan and our party,” Taylor said in a statement.
He highlighted that the Liberal Party had suffered an “historic defeat”, losing “many good people” in the election.
“This result shows we must do more to convince Australians that the Coalition is the best party to support aspiration, economic opportunity, and the Australian dream. We must do better and we must unify.”
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