The Farmer, the Scholar, the Leader: Who is the Liberal Party's newest leader?

In Short

• A Historic Shift: Angus Taylor has been elected Leader of the Liberal Party after a 34–17 vote, ending Sussan Ley’s nine-month tenure and marking a significant win for the party's National Right faction.
• Deep Rural Roots: Raised on a sheep and cattle property in Nimmitabel, Taylor combines a high-level corporate background (McKinsey, Rhodes Scholar) with a "back-to-basics" focus on traditional Liberal values and property rights.
• A New Partnership: Victorian Senator Jane Hume has been elected Deputy Leader, in what some say is a strategic attempt to balance the leadership team as the party pivots toward economic and energy reform.

Following his successful leadership bid of the Liberal Party of Australia and Friday’s ousting of Member for Farrer Sussan Ley we pose the question - who is Angus Taylor?

After many weeks of internal Party upheaval, Mr. Taylor resigned from the frontbench on Wednesday night, after claiming the party is in its weakest position since its 1944 founding.

Mr Taylor says his leadership will aim to provide what he describes as "strong and decisive leadership" to halt a decline in voter support.

Who is Angus Taylor?

Born in Cooma and raised on a sheep and cattle property in Nimmitabel, Angus Taylor has long been identified as a leading figure within the Liberal Party’s National Right faction. His background blends deep rural roots with high-level corporate and academic credentials.

Mr Taylor is the Federal Member for the electorate of Hume in New South Wales.

He has represented the seat since he was first elected in 2013. The electorate is located on the outskirts of southwestern Sydney and covers a mix of rural and provincial areas, including parts of Camden, Wollondilly, and Goulburn.

Liberal Party leader Angus Taylor with deputy Jane Hume: Image: Angus Taylor MP

Professional Background:

Before entering politics in 2013, Mr. Taylor was a Director at Port Jackson Partners and a partner at global consulting firm McKinsey & Co. He is a Rhodes Scholar with a Master of Philosophy in Economics from Oxford and a University Medalist in Economics from the University of Sydney.

Political Career:

Ministerial Roles: He previously served as Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction under the Morrison Government and Minister for Law Enforcement and Cybersecurity under Malcolm Turnbull. Shadow Portfolios: Following the Coalition’s 2022 defeat, he served as Shadow Treasurer. Most recently, he held the role of Shadow Minister for Defence until his resignation this week.

Family Legacy: He is the grandson of Sir William Hudson, who led the construction of the Snowy Hydro Scheme.

The new Liberal Deputy

Following Mr Taylor’s rise to the head of the party, Jane Hume, Dan Tehan, Melissa Price and Ted O'Brien nominated for the role of Deputy Leader.

Victorian Senator Jane Hume was elected to the position, garnering a final total of 30 of the 51 possible votes.

The Liberal Party future under Angus Taylor

After Friday’s successful ballot, Mr. Taylor has alluded to a back-to-basics approach to rebuild the party’s identity. While he has yet to release a detailed policy manifesto, his recent public statements outline a likely platform.

Restoring "Founding Values"

Taylor has argued that the party has lost its way. His leadership is expected to refocus on traditional Liberal principles: rewarding aspiration, individual responsibility, and protecting property rights. He has explicitly stated a desire to resist political correctness and return to the values that appeal to the party’s heartland.

Economic and Energy Reform

Drawing on his tenure as Energy Minister and Shadow Treasurer, Taylor is expected to prioritise:

• Productivity Growth: Focusing on reducing barriers for small businesses and boosting competition.
• Energy Reliability: Continuing his advocacy for "affordable and reliable" power, likely supporting a mix of gas and renewables while avoiding what he terms carbon taxes.
• Agriculture: Leveraging his agribusiness background to secure better market access for Australian producers, particularly in fast-growing Asian markets.

National Security and Infrastructure

As the outgoing Shadow Defence Minister, Taylor has been vocal about what he claims is chronic underfunding in the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

His leadership would likely see a push for increased transparency in defense spending and a focus on regional digital connectivity and transport infrastructure.