Sussan Ley has insisted she will remain leader of the Liberal Party despite mounting internal pressure following the Nationals’ dramatic decision to exit the Coalition for a second time since the 2025 federal election.
The Opposition Leader faced a tense round of television interviews on Friday morning, appearing on Seven’s Sunrise and Nine shortly afterwards, as she responded publicly to the collapse of the long-standing political partnership. The split has intensified scrutiny of Ms Ley’s leadership and exposed deep fractures within the conservative parties.
Nationals Leader David Littleproud laid the blame squarely at Ms Ley’s feet, accusing her of forcing the Coalition into what he described as an “untenable position”. His comments followed the resignation of three Nationals senators — Bridget McKenzie, Susan McDonald and Ross Cadell — from their shadow cabinet roles after they defied cabinet solidarity by opposing the government’s hate crimes legislation.
Speaking on Sunrise, Ms Ley adopted a defiant tone when questioned directly about her future. Asked by host Nat Barr whether she would survive as leader, Ms Ley replied unequivocally: “Yes, I will.”
She said she retained the backing of her Liberal colleagues and rejected suggestions her leadership was at risk. “Every step I’ve taken has been with the support of my Liberal leadership team,” she said. “The responsibility for the Liberal Party sits in the Liberal party room, just as responsibility for the Nationals sits in theirs.”
Ms Ley acknowledged the breakdown in relations but said she remained focused on holding the Labor government to account rather than negotiating a political reunion. “The door is not closed, but my eye is not on the door,” she said. “My eye is on the work my team has already done over summer in holding the government to account.”
Barr pressed Ms Ley on reports that no-one in Mr Littleproud’s leadership group was willing to work with her to rebuild the Coalition. Ms Ley dismissed the claims and refused to consider standing aside “for the good of the party”, despite suggestions leadership challengers were emerging.
Shadow defence minister Angus Taylor and backbencher Andrew Hastie have both been mentioned as potential contenders, with Mr Taylor reportedly returning early from overseas leave. However, Ms Ley said she would continue to work with her colleagues, despite public expressions of anger and frustration within the party.
Behind the scenes, Liberal discontent appears to be growing. One Liberal MP described Ms Ley’s “days as numbered”, while another said she “cannot remain” leader after failing to keep the Nationals onside. Some party members are reportedly considering a leadership challenge when parliament next sits.
Shadow communications minister Melissa McIntosh expressed disappointment at the Coalition’s renewed fracture, saying it reflected poorly on the opposition. “We ended the week talking about ourselves again, which is very disappointing,” she told Sky News. While stopping short of calling for Ms Ley’s removal, Ms McIntosh said the decision ultimately rested with the party room and insisted she was not canvassing support for any alternative leader.
“It doesn’t look good — our marriage has broken up twice in a year,” she said. “I’m a Coalitionist. I really value the relationship we have with our Coalition partner. We’re stronger together.”
On the Nationals side, MP Anne Webster said grassroots support for a split had been building for some time. “I have certainly been asked by a lot of people for some time now to separate from the Liberal Party,” she told ABC Radio National, adding that her electorate was comfortable with the decision.
Senator Bridget McKenzie echoed that view, saying the Nationals were in no rush to reform the Coalition, though she stopped short of ruling it out in the future. “I would never be closing the door on a coalition reforming,” she said. “But as it stands today, our room has determined we are no longer in a coalition.”
Deputy Liberal leader Ted O’Brien sought to project unity, saying the party remained focused on voters rather than internal turmoil. “The main game is not ourselves,” he said. “The main game is delivering for Australians.”
