Sussan Ley a ‘unique opportunity' for Liberal Party, VP says
Sussan Ley is a 'really unique opportunity' for the Liberal Party to embody the 'Australian dream' and 'rebuild around that' after the crushing defeat at the federal election, one of the party's most senior women says.
Liberals on Tuesday elected Ms Ley to succeed Peter Dutton as leader after he was dramatically unseated on May 3.
Ms Ley's election came after a week-and-a-half of 'soul-searching' and a bruising leadership contest between herself and Angus Taylor.
Federal vice-president Fiona Scott said on Wednesday she expected the Liberal Party would 'rally behind' their new leader and deputy, Ted O'Brien.
'What I think we will see is the Liberal Party will rally behind Sussan and Ted (O'Brien),' she told the ABC.
'It doesn't mean that great talents in our party like Angus (Taylor) won't still provide superb input – same as Jacinta (Nampijinpa Price) – and it's good to have that diversity of perspective and view.
'But right now, I think the party room did make the right decision yesterday, and it's really important on us that we've been given the opportunity, maybe taking kicking and screaming to have to rebuild the party and take it back to basics and move forward from there.
'And I think Sussan is a step forward to say that we have listened.'
Reflecting on the election loss, Ms Scott said there were 'a range of challenges' but echoed the sentiments of many Liberal MPs that the 'Australian public didn't see themselves in us in this election'.
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