‘Despair’ and Division: PM Criticises Liberals After Ley’s Sudden Departure

CANBERRA — Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has seized on recent turmoil within the opposition, saying members of the Liberal Party will “despair” at the premature exit of former leader Sussan Ley, who was ousted in a leadership spill last week. The comments underline growing political tensions in Canberra as the opposition seeks to reset itself under new leadership while the government attempts to exploit what it casts as instability across the political divide.

Ley’s Leadership Ends Abruptly After Internal Revolt

Sussan Ley’s tenure as leader of the Liberal Party of Australia and Opposition Leader ended on 13 February 2026, when a partyroom ballot saw Angus Taylor secure 34 votes to Ley’s 17 in a leadership spill triggered by growing dissatisfaction within the party ranks over strategy, direction and poor polling figures. Ley’s departure also followed a wave of frontbench resignations signalling deep internal fractures.

The leadership change has broader ramifications: Ley also announced her intention to resign from Parliament entirely, triggering an imminent by-election in the New South Wales seat of Farrer — the first electoral test for Taylor’s fledgling leadership.

Albanese’s Reaction: ‘Despair’ Over Liberal Disarray

At a press conference that also covered defence spending and infrastructure announcements, PM Albanese was asked about the upheaval on the opposition benches. He responded that Liberals would “despair” that Ley, elected just months ago, “wasn’t even given the opportunity to give one budget reply speech,” suggesting the party’s internal focus has overshadowed its capacity to oppose the government constructively.

Albanese also took the opportunity to contrast his government’s emphasis on national representation — including gender diversity — with what he portrayed as the opposition’s repeated focus on internal factional disputes rather than broader public concerns.

The Leadership Spill: Anatomy of a Tumultuous Week

The sequence leading to Ley’s removal unfolded rapidly in February. In the days before the spice vote, several senior Liberal figures had resigned from her shadow ministry, signalling eroding confidence in her leadership as the party grappled with a declining primary vote and the surging support for minor parties such as One Nation.

Shadow defence minister Angus Taylor was the first to announce his resignation from Ley’s frontbench, unsurprisingly positioning himself as an alternative leader amid growing speculation about the party’s direction. Multiple conservative and moderate MPs then stepped down from shadow roles, clearing the way for a leadership challenge that culminated in Taylor’s victory.

Factional Strains and Strategic Disagreements

Ley’s leadership had been marked by persistent internal divisions between moderates and conservative factions over policy, party identity and electoral strategy. These tensions manifested in disputes over key policy positions — including immigration, tax and responses to social issues — and in complicated relations with the party’s Coalition partners in the National Party of Australia.

Observers note that the Liberals’ identity crisis has been compounded by unprecedented polling lows, making the traditional conservative bloc vulnerable to broader shifts in voter alignment and dissatisfaction with established parties.

Resignations and Backlash Within the Party

The fallout from Ley’s ousting has already triggered notable consequences within the Liberal ranks. Charlotte Mortlock, a prominent advocate for greater female participation in conservative politics, resigned both from her organisation, Hilma’s Network, and from the Liberal Party itself, citing disillusionment with how Ley’s removal was handled and concern about the party’s direction on gender equity.

Such departures underscore broader unease among progressives and moderates within the party, raising questions about the Liberals’ appeal to centrist and female voters as it recalibrates under new leadership.

Taylor Takes the Helm: A New Direction?

Angus Taylor, a former McKinsey partner and long-time MP, now leads the Liberal Party and will face immediate tests of his authority, not least the forthcoming Farrer by-election and the urgent task of halting the party’s slide in opinion polls. Taylor has signalled his intent to sharpen the party’s focus on traditional conservative themes — such as tax reform and stricter immigration policy — while shaping a refreshed shadow ministry.

Deputy leadership also changed hands, with Victorian Senator Jane Hume elected to partner Taylor in the top ranks, indicating a possible shift in internal power dynamics toward a more disciplined leadership team.

Challenges Ahead for the Opposition

Despite the leadership change, many analysts caution that the Liberals face deep structural challenges beyond personality leadership disputes. These include articulate policy messaging that resonates with voters, healing divisions between moderates and conservatives, and carving out space against centrist independents and right-wing parties gaining support.

The imminent by-election in Farrer will be a vital litmus test of public sentiment toward the new leadership, particularly given the seat’s history and Ley’s long tenure there. How Taylor and his team navigate this first electoral hurdle could shape the party’s broader prospects heading into future federal elections.

Looking Forward

As Anthony Albanese’s government continues its legislative agenda, the opposition’s internal recalibration under Angus Taylor offers both risks and opportunities. Whether Taylor can unify the party, appeal to disaffected voters and provide a coherent alternative to the government will be central to the Liberals’ fortunes. In the meantime, the prime minister’s public comments reflect a strategy of highlighting the opposition’s instability while positioning his government as a more stable and representative alternative for Australian voters.