Ley tries to keep above fray amid Liberal infighting
Zac de Silva |
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is refusing to wade into an increasingly bitter fight between Liberal members despite claims some of her MPs are lazy and inept.
Former senator Hollie Hughes has kicked off a war of words after resigning from the party, accusing some of her ex-colleagues of undermining Ms Ley and expressing disgust at their behaviour.
“There are some people who are completely inept, who are lazy, who are not across the details,” she told 2GB Radio.
Asked about the spray in a series of media appearances on Wednesday, Ms Ley talked up her friendship with Ms Hughes.
“Hollie is a dear friend,” she told Nine’s Today program.
“Her statement clearly speaks to the warmth of our friendship.”
At a press conference later in the day, Ms Ley did not repeat her praise.
Ms Hughes also accused the conservative faction of using women to do the undermining, singling out senators Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and Sarah Henderson.
“(They) are being used, quite frankly, by the boys who want to challenge but don’t have the gumption to go out and say anything themselves,” she said.
That prompted a fiery response from Senator Nampijinpa Price.
“It’s pretty disappointing to hear that sort of commentary from a woman … it’s just a ridiculous notion,” she told 2GB.
“She’s clearly bitter, and that’s her issue to deal with herself.”
Ms Hughes was dumped from her winnable Senate spot in the lead-up to the 2025 election in a factional deal which she says was orchestrated by potential leadership contender Angus Taylor.
She rejected suggestions her comments were a reaction to losing her senate spot.
Pressed on the infighting, Ms Ley refused to weigh in.
“I’m not commenting on comments, on commentary,” she told reporters in Brisbane.
Ms Ley was handed another headache by Liberal senator Andrew McLachlan, who declared he didn’t agree with the coalition’s energy policy.
“At this point in time, I’m dubious”, he told The Conversation.
“It seems to me it’s a policy that is carefree with emissions,” Senator McLachlan said.
A fight is also brewing over immigration, with the party’s conservative flank pushing for dramatic cuts to Australia’s migrant intake.’
Ms Ley said she would outline the principles of the coalition’s migration policy before Christmas, but is unlikely to announce a formal figure until closer to the election.
“We have to recognise… that the pressures on communities, whether it be housing, whether it be roads, whether it be public transport, schools, hospitals, those pressures are out of balance with migration, she said, while stressing problems were not the fault of any one migrant group.
AAP
