Member for Farrer Sussan Ley has been elected as the leader of the Liberal Party

Member for Farrer Sussan Ley has been elected as Party leader by the Liberal Party in a partyroom ballot today (Tuesday May 13, 2025).

The history-making appointment makes Ms Ley the first female leader of the federal Liberal Party, and is the first regionally based opposition leader since Alexander Downer in the 1990s.

Ms Ley was the deputy leader, under Peter Dutton, and is one of the longest-serving female MPs in Canberra.

Ms Ley received 29 votes, and narrowly defeated opponent Angus Taylor (25 votes)

Ley’s deputy will be Ted O’Brien, the former energy spokesperson. Queensland MP Phil Thompson also contested the ballot for deputy.

O’Brien won the ballot 38 votes to 16.