Liberal Leadership Crisis Deepens as Hastie Support Surges
Discontent within Liberal Party ranks has reached a critical point, with growing momentum behind Andrew Hastie as the preferred replacement for embattled leader Sussan Ley. Party insiders reveal a coordinated push is underway to convince Ley to step down voluntarily, avoiding what many fear could become a damaging public leadership battle.
Hastie's Numbers Firm as Leadership Speculation Intensifies
According to multiple Liberal sources speaking exclusively to The West Australian, Andrew Hastie has already secured backing from more than 20 parliamentary colleagues in his bid for the leadership. The Canning MP reportedly needs just six additional votes to successfully challenge Ley's position.
"It's reasonable to say that Andrew Hastie on a hard count is already into the 20s," revealed one senior Liberal Party figure. "Very clearly there is more support for Andrew than for Angus Taylor, and by a factor of probably four."
The same source explained the Right faction's rationale: "These are critical times for the Liberal Party. We're facing an existential threat to our ability to connect to normal Australian voters, and the only person who has demonstrated an ability to cut through the noise of modern politics is Andrew."
Ley's Leadership on Life Support After Coalition Split
Sussan Ley's position has become increasingly precarious following the dramatic collapse of the Coalition partnership. The crisis erupted when Nationals leader David Littleproud withdrew his party from the shadow ministry after Ley accepted the resignations of three Nationals senators who had defied the Coalition's position on national security legislation.
"Sussan Ley's leadership is terminal, and that's a very widespread view held by MPs and political party members," another Liberal insider confirmed. "The only question now is who will be in the driver's seat when Parliament resumes on February 3."
Despite publicly expressing confidence in her position, with Ley telling media on Friday she expected to remain leader when Parliament returns, internal assessments paint a different picture. Multiple sources describe her leadership as "on life support" and suggest a voluntary resignation would represent the best outcome for party unity.
Western Australian MPs Largely Desert Ley
The leadership crisis has particular significance in Western Australia, where the Liberals now hold just four of sixteen federal seats following the disastrous 2025 election result. Should a leadership vote occur, only one of eight WA Liberal MPs and senators—Melissa Price in Durack—would reportedly support Ley's continued leadership.
Price confirmed her ongoing support for Ley on Saturday, stating: "From day one, Sussan has been under immense pressure. I don't think she has been given a fair-dinkum chance."
However, this isolated support contrasts with broader party sentiment. Under Ley's leadership, the Coalition has not only failed to make electoral gains but has actually lost ground to Pauline Hanson's One Nation, which now enjoys a 22 percent primary vote compared to the Coalition's 21 percent in recent polling.
Hastie's Policy Positions and Leadership Credentials
Andrew Hastie brings distinct policy positions that have resonated with certain party factions. Like Pauline Hanson, he has been critical of Australia's immigration policy, resigning from shadow cabinet in October last year citing disagreements over the party's approach. He has also been a vocal opponent of net zero emission targets.
Supporters argue these positions, combined with his communication skills, make him uniquely positioned to reconnect with disaffected voters. "The only person who has demonstrated an ability to cut through the noise of modern politics and be relevant in that way is Andrew," emphasized one Hastie backer.
Taylor's Diminishing Prospects
While Angus Taylor was initially considered a leading contender to replace Ley, his support appears to have dwindled significantly. Hastie supporters expressed hope that Taylor would not seek the leadership, with one source predicting: "When Angus seeks the counsel of his colleagues in the party room, I think he will quickly discover that the support he might have imagined isn't actually there."
The same source added: "Once Angus withdraws from the race, the only other credible candidate putting themselves in the position to win at this point is Andrew."
As the Liberal Party confronts this leadership crisis, the coming days will prove crucial in determining whether Sussan Ley can survive mounting internal pressure or whether Andrew Hastie will emerge as the party's new leader ahead of Parliament's return in February.
