Senior Liberal MPs Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor met in Melbourne on Thursday in an attempt to resolve the ongoing leadership tensions within the party. The meeting was held privately and did not produce an agreement on who would challenge Opposition Leader Sussan Ley.
Leadership Talks Held in Melbourne
The meeting between Hastie and Taylor took place at a private residence with senior colleagues present, including James Paterson, Matt O’Sullivan, and Jonno Duniam. Sources familiar with the discussions described the meeting as constructive, though unresolved.
Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor met in Melbourne to discuss the Liberal leadership amid party tensions. (Source: The Australian)
The talks were scheduled ahead of the memorial for former Liberal MP Katie Allen, who passed away in December 2025 from a rare form of cancer. Party sources indicated the discussions focused on finding a path forward amid ongoing speculation about a potential spill motion.
Party Division Over Leadership
Ben Small, a Liberal backbencher from Western Australia, has expressed support for Hastie. He described Hastie as capable of leading the party and generating voter support. Small noted that his endorsement was based on political judgment rather than personal factors.
Despite ongoing speculation, Liberal frontbencher James Paterson confirmed Ley retains majority support within the party. Paterson emphasized that the leadership tensions represent a division within the conservative wing but do not indicate widespread opposition to Ley.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley continues to hold majority support within the Liberal Party. (Source: Sky News Australia)
Conservatives and Leadership Deadlock
The meeting highlighted a deadlock between Hastie and Taylor over who would emerge as a challenger. Sources noted the two aspirants recognized they would need mutual support for any leadership challenge to succeed.
Hastie’s supporters have been actively rallying votes within the party. However, Taylor’s camp has yet to commit, leaving the leadership discussion unresolved. Both sides agreed to continue talks to reach a potential decision.
National Party Perspectives
The Liberal leadership issues coincide with tensions within the Nationals. Nationals MP Colin Boyce called for a leadership spill, stating that party leader David Littleproud’s position is untenable. He argued that recent Coalition splits harmed conservative unity.
Deputy Nationals leader Kevin Hogan defended Littleproud, saying decisions, including opposition to Labor’s hate laws, had full party support. Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie described the party as united despite the spill call and rejected concerns about possible defections.
Prime Minister Responds to Timing
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented on the timing of the Liberal discussions. He described it as extraordinary that leadership talks occurred on the day of Katie Allen’s memorial.
Albanese praised Allen for her contributions as a doctor, professor, and MP. He expressed sympathy for her family and colleagues, urging political leaders to focus on broader responsibilities.
Minister Anne Aly and Herzog Visit
Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly declined to endorse Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s upcoming visit to Australia in February. Aly acknowledged the visit’s significance to the Australian Jewish community, citing the Bondi terror attack last year as context.
Minister Anne Aly declined to endorse Israeli President Herzog’s upcoming visit to Australia. (Source: Sky News Australia)
Independent MP Sophie Scamps raised concerns about the visit. She stated it could deepen divisions within the Australian community, referencing comments made by Herzog after the Hamas attack in October 2025. Scamps emphasized that Australia should consider international legal assessments regarding Herzog’s actions.
State Government Updates
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said the state government is still considering restricting protests in Sydney’s CBD to the Domain. He cited repeated demonstrations affecting public access and city life, noting that a final decision had not been made.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan defended bailout guarantees provided to eight cash-strapped public entities. She described these letters of comfort as part of a strong financial management framework, intended to protect agencies’ operations and ensure service continuity.
Other Key Developments
The meeting between Hastie and Taylor came as the Liberal Party prepares for possible leadership motions. Frontbenchers maintain that Sussan Ley continues to hold support from a majority of colleagues.
The party faces ongoing pressure to present a credible opposition to the government. Tweets from political observers reflected uncertainty over the leadership, noting that the Melbourne meeting failed to resolve the challenge to Ley.
Meanwhile, public attention continues on broader political issues, including hospital funding discussions and cost-of-living relief measures. Prime Minister Albanese has indicated ongoing engagement with state leaders regarding public hospital budgets and other social policies.
Final Notes
Hastie and Taylor’s discussions underscore the ongoing leadership debate within the Liberal Party. Ley’s supporters insist she maintains authority, while conservatives continue internal negotiations. Both MPs agreed that further discussions are needed before a potential spill motion is advanced.
The Liberal Party’s leadership situation remains closely monitored by colleagues and the public. At the same time, state and federal government actions, as well as diplomatic events, contribute to a broader political context.
FAQs
- Why did Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor meet in Melbourne?
Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor met privately in Melbourne to discuss the leadership situation within the Liberal Party, following ongoing internal tensions and speculation about a possible challenge to current leader Sussan Ley. The meeting aimed to decide who might lead a challenge, but no agreement was reached.
- What was the outcome of the Hastie–Taylor leadership meeting?
The two senior Liberal MPs did not decide on a challenger to Sussan Ley during the meeting. Sources described the talks as constructive but unresolved, with further discussions expected before any formal leadership motion could proceed.
- Who supports Sussan Ley’s leadership within the party?
Key Liberal colleagues, including senior frontbenchers, have publicly expressed continued support for Sussan Ley’s position as leader, despite speculation around a potential spill.
- What must happen before a leadership spill can take place?
For a leadership spill to proceed, Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor must first agree on who will challenge Sussan Ley. Without a consensus candidate, a spill motion is unlikely to succeed.
- How has Sussan Ley responded to leadership speculation?
Sussan Ley has maintained that she retains the confidence of her team and dismissed much of the speculation as media-driven.
- What are the broader reasons for leadership tensions in the Liberal Party?
Tensions arise from internal disagreements over policy direction, leadership performance concerns, and debates on the party’s position against the government. These issues have intensified discussions about the leadership.
