Jacinta Price's message to Australia after she loses out in bid for deputy leadership of Liberal party after her stunning defection
Sussan Ley was confirmed as the new leader of the Liberal party on Tuesday morning, making history as the party's first female leader.
She won the vote 29-25 against Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor, who had run on a joint ticket with Senator Price as his Deputy.
Last week, Senator Price sensationally defected from the Nationals party room to sit with the Liberal Party room.
As a member of the Country Liberal Party, she can choose between the two. But it was widely seen as a betrayal.
And when it became clear that Taylor had lost his tilt at the leadership, Price withdrew her own hat from the ring.
In a statement released in the hours after the ballot, Senator Price congratulated Ley and her newly-elected deputy, Ted O'Brien.
'While I am disappointed Angus Taylor was not elected leader, I respect the decision made by my colleagues within the party room today,' Price said.
'I was contesting the position of deputy leader on a ticket with Angus Taylor, and given the outcome with respect to the position of leader of the Liberal Party, I chose not to contest the position of deputy leader.
'I recognise that I am new to the party, and am grateful that our party is one that afforded me the opportunity to consider putting myself forward for the position of deputy leader in those circumstances.
'Ultimately, I want the best outcome for all Australians — that is why I entered politics, and why I continue to serve as a member of the Australian parliament.
'So while the outcome today is not the one that I would have wanted, it in no way lessens my commitment to the Liberal Party and the broader Coalition.
'Nor does the outcome lessen my resolve to rebuild and strengthen the Liberal Party.'
Senator Price insisted she would work with Ley and O'Brien to 'ensure the Coalition is a formidable Opposition to the Albanese Labor Government and presents a compelling alternative to the Australian public at the next election'.
Her former party leader, Nationals boss David Littleproud, said he still trusted Price despite her defection.
'Yes, I do. The reality is … we gave Jacinta every support we possibly could. We were the first ones to support her in the 'No' case,' he told the ABC on Tuesday morning.
'The reality is that her ambitions exceed what the National Party can provide. You can't be the Prime Minister (in) the national party, I accept that.
'We're deeply disappointed. We'll work through that process. This is more than about my ego (or) anyone else's ego. This is about the Australian people.'
It remains to be seen whether new leader Ley will hand Price a position in the new shadow ministry.
Under Peter Dutton's leadership she served as the Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians.
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