The beleaguered Liberal Party is set to elect a new leader this week, following a disappointing election where Opposition Leader Peter Dutton lost his seat in Dickson. The vote will take place tomorrow in Canberra, and newly elected MP Tim Wilson is considering entering the leadership race.
Current frontrunners for the position include Deputy Leader Sussan Ley and Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor, both of whom announced their candidacies last week. Ley, who has the backing of the moderate faction within the party, would make history as the first woman to lead the Liberals if elected. Conversely, Taylor represents the conservative wing and is supported by Northern Territory Senator Jacinta Price, who has switched allegiance from the Nationals and will join Taylor as his running mate.
Wilson, having recently claimed victory in the Goldstein seat, is emerging as a potential dark horse in the leadership contest. He mentioned to The Sydney Morning Herald that he is contemplating a bid for leadership. His win against a teal independent candidate in Goldstein, a former Liberal stronghold, adds to his candidacy’s significance, albeit Zoe Daniel, the teal opponent, has yet to concede.
As a moderate figure, Wilson has garnered interest from party colleagues, including former MP Jason Falinski, who praised his effective campaigning techniques. Political commentators like Nine’s Charles Croucher suggest that Wilson may be positioning himself for a key role within the shadow cabinet, possibly as Shadow Treasurer or another prominent position.
The leadership developments come as the Nationals, the Liberal Party’s Coalition partners, also initiate a leadership contest today. Senator Matt Canavan is challenging current leader David Littleproud, expressing his beliefs that some colleagues are open to the idea of a senator leading the party, particularly in light of differing views on net-zero carbon emissions targets within the Coalition.
As the Liberal Party grapples with its recent setbacks, the selection of a new leader will be a crucial step towards rebuilding its identity and strategy moving forward.