Labor Party Criticises Liberal Leadership Change to Angus Taylor
The Labor Party has swiftly condemned the Liberal Party's decision to oust Sussan Ley and elect Angus Taylor as its new leader, framing the move as a significant rightward shift in Australian politics.
Liberal Party Vote and Labor's Immediate Response
Liberal members voted 34-17 in favour of Taylor over Ley, with the decision made just under 20 minutes after proceedings commenced at 9am on Friday. Even before Jane Hume secured her position as deputy leader, Labor had initiated a donation drive, alerting Australians to Taylor's leadership.
An email from the Labor Party stated, "The Liberal Party has just taken another giant leap to the right, electing conservative Angus Taylor as leader." It further argued that the Coalition is dominated by climate denialists and culture war warriors, with chaos and division permeating all levels of government.
The email added, "Their instability has made them desperate, desperate enough to flirt with One Nation, cut deals with the far right and platform voices that have no place in mainstream politics." It noted that Ley had tried to appease extreme voices within her party but ultimately failed, concluding, "With Angus Taylor as leader, the extreme fringe is now in control of the Liberal Party."
Labor's Attack Ads and Accusations Against Taylor
Labor has also released two attack ads targeting Taylor, labelling him as "just another Liberal" and a "leftover from the Scott Morrison government." One ad accused Taylor of designing policies for higher taxes, larger deficits, eliminating work-from-home options, laying off tens of thousands of frontline workers, and advocating for a $600 billion taxpayer-funded nuclear scheme.
Additionally, the ad claimed, "Taylor worked from day one to undermine the Liberals' first female leader," referencing his role during Ley's tenure. These ads aim to paint Taylor as a figure from a controversial past government, unfit for leadership.
Internal Liberal Party Support for Taylor
Within the Liberal Party, however, Taylor's election has been largely celebrated. Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott congratulated Taylor on becoming the 17th leader of the party, highlighting his potential to revive the party's fortunes.
Abbott wrote, "Our party is at a low ebb but Angus is just the man to bring us back to government. His declared mission to restore Australians' standard of living and protect our way of life is exactly what our country needs right now." He urged all Liberal supporters to rally around Taylor, stating, "His success is our success and the long term success of our country. For all the Liberal Party's recent failings it remains the best hope of better government for Australia."
Taylor first entered parliament by winning the seat of Hume in the 2013 federal election, which coincided with Abbott's victory. His background in economics and previous ministerial roles underpin his leadership credentials, according to supporters.
Future Outlook and Media Engagement
Taylor and Hume are scheduled to address the media later on Friday to outline their vision for the Liberal Party's future. This presentation is expected to detail strategies for rebuilding party unity and addressing key policy areas, such as economic recovery and environmental issues.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other Labor figures are likely to continue their criticism, setting the stage for heightened political tensions in the coming weeks. The leadership change marks a pivotal moment for the Liberal Party as it seeks to redefine its identity and challenge the current government.
