Susan Ley defends leadership as Liberal senator unloads on Coalition
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley says she is "up for the job" after the shaky union between the Liberal and National parties was restored, though vocal dissent remains in the Coalition ranks.
Ley confirmed yesterday the Coalition was "back together" after a 17-day split over the Albanese government's hate speech and gun control laws.
Three Nationals shadow frontbenchers who broke cabinet solidarity over that vote have also been reinstated.
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Opposition leader Sussan Ley says she is up for the job. Today
The division spotlighted a rise in support for One Nation at the polls, with some data showing the minor party's predicted primary vote surpassing that of the Liberals.
It also prompted speculation about the future job security of both Ley and Nationals leader David Littleproud as the head of their respective parties.
Speaking to Today this morning, Ley said she was looking to the future and aiming to hold the government to account.
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Nationals leader David Littleproud and Opposition leader Sussan Ley confirmed the reunion of the Coalition yesterday. Alex Ellinghausen
"We did have differences, but in resolving them we've actually strengthened processes, but more importantly strengthened our focus," she said.
Asked about the prospect of a leadership challenge, particularly from right-wing faction member Angus Taylor, Ley struck a sanguine tone, saying she would lead the Coalition at least until the next federal election.
She admitted the division had hurt the Coalition politically.
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One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson is riding relatively high in the polls. Alex Ellinghausen
"I think it's a fair point, Karl, that when Australians see us talking about ourselves, they mark us down," she said.
She said the Coalition would be focusing on issues such as housing and cost of living, including school costs.
"Millions of Australians are being let down by a government that has got it all wrong," she said.
However, Liberal Senator Jane Hume said the party faced an "existential crisis" amid dismal polling.
Liberal Senator Jane Hume has slammed the party leadership. Today
"I've been looking at the numbers… and I don't think that at this point there will be a single member of the House of Representatives from Victoria," she told Sky News.
"There won't be a single member of the House of Representatives from New South Wales. Something has to give."
Speaking to reporters after her on-air interview in a brief doorstop, she said she wasn't pushing for a change of leadership, but that the disastrous polling had to be laid at the feet of Ley and Littleproud.
"It has to come back to the leadership we are facing today," she said.
"They have to reflect on themselves."
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