View from The Hill: Unmoored Ley Looks Like a Dead Woman Walking
No one can fault Ley’s work rate or her efforts to connect with the community. However, she lacks a strong political framework to lead with confidence. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley appears to be a “dead woman walking.”
The latest Newspoll is devastating for the opposition and Ley personally. Labor leads the Coalition 57–43% on the two-party vote, the Coalition’s primary vote has fallen by 4 points to 24%, and Ley’s net approval rating is at minus–33.
Her net approval has declined 13 points since the previous poll, partly due to her poorly judged comments about US Ambassador Kevin Rudd and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Joy Division T-shirt.
Such figures would be damaging at any time, but are especially dire given the Liberals and the Coalition face an existential crisis over energy policy.
Energy Policy Divide Weakens Leadership
The Liberals are divided over the 2050 net-zero emissions target. Since the Nationals have abandoned the target, the Liberals are moving closer to the Nationals’ position.
Previously, Ley said she wanted to achieve net zero as soon as possible. Now, she will struggle to keep the Liberals committed to this goal, even as an aspiration.
A few weeks ago, Angus Taylor, Ley’s main leadership rival, was reportedly open to a compromise that maintained some form of net-zero commitment despite his personal opposition. Now, Taylor is said to be aligning more closely with the Nationals’ stance.
“Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is looking like a dead woman walking.”
“The latest Newspoll… is devastating for the opposition and Ley in particular.”
Author’s summary: Sussan Ley’s leadership is faltering amid dismal polling and internal party divisions, especially over energy policy and the future commitment to net-zero emissions.