The Daily Aus The contest for Opposition Leader
Feb 12, 2026
Internal turmoil in the Liberal Party as a leadership vote looms. A prominent MP resigns from the shadow cabinet, triggering a challenge. Discussion covers past leadership ballots, party polling woes, and fractures with the Nationals. The candidates' political styles and whether new leadership could reverse falling support are debated.
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Taylor's Long Record And Narrow Loss
- Angus Taylor has been the member for Hume since 2013 and narrowly lost the leadership to Sussan Ley 29–25.
- That close result set the stage for a continued leadership contest within the Liberal Party.
Historic Low Polling For The Coalition
- Recent polling shows the coalition at roughly 18% primary support with One Nation ahead of the Liberals.
- The party sits at its worst polling position since its 1944 formation, raising existential questions about strategy.
Coalition Disunity Triggered The Spill
- The Nationals publicly broke from the Liberals over a hate speech reform bill, causing resignations and a loss of shadow cabinet solidarity.
- That split exposed leadership weakness and fed momentum for a leadership challenge against Sussan Ley.