‘Done differently': Sussan Ley makes official pitch for Liberal leadership
Sussan Ley has thrown her hat into the ring for the Liberal Party leadership by officially pitching herself as the ideal candidate to succeed Peter Dutton.
Running against treasury spokesman Angus Taylor for the top position in the Liberal Party, which will be decided at a vote on Tuesday.
In a statement released on Friday, Ms Ley said it was 'clear' the Liberal Party 'got it wrong' and required a 'fresh approach' for the future.
'We need to build a new economic narrative, we need new policy offerings to show everyday Australians that we have a plan to help them and their families get ahead,' she said.
'We need to rebuild trust with all sections of Australian society, and my election as leader of the Liberal Party would send a very strong signal that we understand that things must be done differently.'
'We have enormous depth of talent in our party room, and I want to draw on all of it over the next three years,' she said.
'We will develop strong policy offerings through robust party room processes so we can demonstrate we will deliver better outcomes for all Australians.'
Ms Ley has received backing from Liberal heavyweights including former premiers Barry O'Farrell, Nick Greiner, and Jeff Kennett, who declared Ms Ley as the 'obvious choice'.
On Friday, she also received support from former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, who told Sky News she could 'bring the party back to the centre'.
Ms Ley's leadership run was bolstered by retiring senator Linda Reynolds, who told ABC Perth radio the Liberal Party needed to have 'hard conversations' about becoming 'more gender-balanced', and said Ms Ley would be a 'great and a very healing and receptive leader'.
In the videos, Ms Ley said she was 'humbled' by the 'overwhelming support' she has received and was 'greatly encouraged by the faith and trust placed in me by so many parliamentary colleagues'.
'We need to change, the Liberal Party must respect modern Australia, reflect modern Australia and represent modern Australia,' she said.
'Many Australians, including women and younger Australians, feel neglected by the Liberal Party.'
She will fight for the top role against Mr Taylor, who has received backing from Liberal
who told news.com.au the Liberal Party was 'at a crossroads' and needed to 'regroup, rebuild, and get back in the fight'.
'None of this will be easy,' he said.
'Reform never is. But the road to government begins with doing the hard things now, not later.'
Mr Taylor is expected to ask Country Liberal Party Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price Price to stand as deputy, days after she announced she was defecting from the Nationals to the Liberals.
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