- Clare Chandler resigns as Shadow Minister
- More Liberal front benchers expected to quit
Shadow Cybersecurity and Science Minister Clare Chandler has dramatically quit the Liberal Party front bench, signaling an imminent leadership spill against Sussan Ley.
Her departure comes less than 24 hours after former shadow defence minister Angus Taylor sensationally walked out on Wednesday night, bringing an end to weeks of mounting speculation that he would roll the party’s first female leader.
‘Since the election in May last year, I’ve sought to be a constructive member of the leadership team, and supported Sussan Ley’s leadership in a difficult time,’ he told reporters.
‘But we can’t mince words. The Liberal Party is in the worst position it has been since 1944, when the party was formed.
‘I don’t believe Sussan Ley is in a position to be able to lead the party as it needs to be led from here,’ Taylor said.
‘What we need right now is strong leadership, clear direction, and a courageous focus on our values, and the first two priorities should be protecting our way of life and restoring our standard of living.’
Senator Chandler, who represents Tasmania, who has long been aligned with the party’s conservative faction and is considered a key ally of Taylor, said many Australians were frustrated with the party in its current state.
‘They don’t see an opposition that is tackling the Albanese Government head on and holding them accountable for their failures,’ she said.
Shadow Cybersecurity and Science Minister Clare Chandler has dramatically quit the Liberal Party front bench, signalling an imminent leadership spill against Sussan Ley
‘They just see an opposition that is obsessed with talking about itself.
‘Now, I know that the Liberal Party is capable of so much better than this, but in recent days I’ve come to the view that that’s not going to happen under the current leadership, and that’s why today I’ve resigned from the front bench.’
Daily Mail Australia understands an exodus of Taylor loyalists is now underway, with several more frontbenchers preparing to abandon their posts in the coming hours.
The wave of resignations is expected ahead of a leadership challenge against Ley by Taylor, which could occur as soon as today.
Daily Mail Australia political editor Peter van Onselen said it was difficult to see Ley surviving the challenge.
‘Chandler’s resignation is all about building momentum for Angus Taylor’s challenge,’ he said.
‘It’s actually the same playbook Tony Abbott used to blast out Malcolm Turnbull as opposition leader back in 2009.
‘But this time the added tactic is getting women MPs and Senators to lead the charge, in a bid to overcome the perception that the boys’ club is rolling the first female leader of the party.
More resignations are expected ahead of a leadership challenge against Sussan Ley (pictured)
‘It’s the same reason Sarah Henderson and Jane Hume led the charge this week calling for change.
‘It’s also why Zoe McKenzie is emerging as the likely running mate for deputy. Whether it works or not is another matter.
‘Either way it’s very hard to see Sussan Ley surviving this looming challenge, even though Taylor asks as many questions as he answers.’
The resignation comes after a series of opinion polls revealed dire results for the Liberal Party.
The most recent Newspoll showed primary support for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation had surged to 29 per cent, with the coalition garnering a historic low of 18 per cent.
Moments before his resignation, Liberal senator Alex Antic backed Taylor as leader.
‘He’s going to do a good job when his time comes, whether it’s now, tomorrow, six months, two years, whatever it may be,’ he told Sky News.
