Sussan Ley's leadership of the Liberal Party is on the brink of collapse, senior party members say, following a dramatic split over hate speech laws that has shattered the Coalition for the second time in eight months. Angus Taylor and Andrew Hastie are the frontrunners to replace her, with sources suggesting a challenge could emerge as early as Friday, following the national day of mourning for the victims of the Bondi terror attack. Tim Wilson and Ted O'Brien have been mentioned as potential contenders, though they are considered outsiders. A leadership spill can be triggered if two MPs petition the party whip, and two sources anticipate a petition could be signed within the next 48 hours. The Coalition's internal turmoil extends to the Nationals, with David Littleproud's leadership also under scrutiny. Littleproud's decision to sack three Nationals senators for crossing the floor over the hate speech laws led to a mass walkout of the shadow cabinet, including the leader. This internal strife has left Sussan Ley's position severely compromised, following poor polling and a previous Coalition split. Senior Liberals across factions believe her leadership is terminal, with one MP stating, 'You can't come back from this – it's done and dusted.' Another MP described her position as 'untenable' and 'not salvageable in any way, shape, or form.' The party's unity is at stake, with calls for a new leader and a 'merit-based' approach to frontbench positions. The Guardian Australia spoke to numerous MPs, and nearly all agreed that Sussan Ley's time as leader is over, though the timing and successor remain uncertain. The right faction's Hastie and Taylor must decide who will contest the ballot, as a single candidate could reunite the Coalition. Meanwhile, Wilson and O'Brien, who are factionally unaligned, face a less clear path to the top job. Melissa McIntosh, a frontbencher, advocates for the Coalition's unity, emphasizing the need for strong opposition leadership. The party room will convene on February 3rd when parliament resumes, but some Liberals warn against allowing the Nationals to dictate the Liberal Party's leadership. The tension between the parties is palpable, with one Liberal MP stating, 'If we change our leader now, we're caving into the Nationals' demands.' Despite the turmoil, Sussan Ley's leadership remains in question, with one MP suggesting she could stay if 'cooler heads prevail,' but acknowledging the challenge's inevitability once ignited. The party's future hangs in the balance, with the need for a swift resolution to prevent further damage.
