Ley under pressure as resignations mount
It’s been an absolute whirlwind of a morning and things have been moving pretty quickly.
To recap, we’ve now had six resignations from the frontbench, including Angus Taylor, Jonathon Duniam, James Paterson, Claire Chandler, Matt O’Sullivan and Phil Thompson.
Earlier this morning, Jess Collins and Thompson handed a letter to request a special party room meeting and spill motion.
Ley will get to decide when that party room takes place. Here’s the full rundown:
Updated at 19.48 EST
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Albanese says ‘our government is not contemplating failure’
There are five years left of the current Closing the Gap targets, but just four of the 19 Closing the Gap targets are on track in 2026, according to the annual report, while four – including a plan to reduce rates of suicide in Indigenous communities – are either stalled or going backwards.
Albanese tells parliament that he is not “contemplating failure” and that real progress is being made. He says six targets are improving.
Our government is not contemplating failure. We are determined to succeed … Closing the Gap is a national test, a generational task, a moral imperative. But it is what we measure in these tangible outcome that is why we listen to communities, why we investing co-design.
There are four areas where progress is stalled or going backwards. We simply need to do better. The most urgent of those is suicide … Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are 2.5 times more likely to die by suicide. As a matter of priority, our government will deliver $13.9m to boost the national support line 13YARN.
Last year, the prime minister committed to reducing the cost of 30 essential items like flour, cereal, pasta and nappies, and tying them to city prices.
Albanese says last year he committed to doing that in 76 stores, and promises this year to expand the guarantee to “all 225 remote stores right around Australia”.
We all know what it means to be able to put healthy food on the table – the difference to the mother expecting a baby, a child’s health and growth, even for their ability to concentrate at school.
Updated at 20.35 EST
Anthony Albanese delivers Closing the Gap speech in parliament
In the House of Representatives, the prime minister is delivering the annual Closing the Gap speech, welcoming the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and members of the Stolen Generations in the chamber.
He quickly turns to the alleged terror attack in Perth at the Invasion Day rally on 26 January, which he says was motivated by a white supremacist ideology.
To the chamber he says:
We see you, we stand with you, the danger of that attack was real. And so was the racism and hatred behind it, motivated by a white supremacist ideology. Aboriginal and Strait Islander people have the right to gather and express their views, without fear of violence. More than that, they have the right to a full and equal place in our nation and our future, unburdened by discrimination or disadvantage.
While he speaks, the opposition benches are about half empty.
Anthony Albanese delivers a statement on the annual Closing the Gap report. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAPShare
Updated at 20.24 EST
‘We are not entitled to anyone’s support,’ Paterson says
Asked whether he will carry a burden for helping topple the Liberal party’s first female leader, Paterson says that argument was “not successful for [former prime minister] Julia Gillard in the Labor party, I don’t believe successful for Sussan Ley”.
Paterson says the verdict on Ley’s leadership is “clear”, with a -39 approval rating, according to Newspoll, the “worst performance of an opposition leader in 23 years”.
Paterson says that Ley has been “sniped”, but despite that, argues that there should be a change in the leadership.
Sometimes prime ministers can recover from bad opinion polls, but it is very difficult for an opposition leader to do so, and I don’t believe she’ll do so.
Yes there has been [sniping], it’s been a great source of frustration and disappointment to me. I don’t think that is a good way for us to conduct ourselves. I’ve tried very diligently and sincerely, despite not voting for Sussan nine months ago, to make her leadership a success. It is with great regret that it hasn’t been.
Asked whether there’s a risk that the Liberals could go further backwards under Taylor’s leadership, Paterson say it is a “risk”.
I think there is a risk that given what has happened there will be continued harsh judgment by the Australian people and we will have to work very hard to earn back their trust and support. We are not entitled to anyone’s support, we’re not entitled to anyone’s vote, the Liberal party is not entitled to continue to exist as a centre-right force in this country for evermore. We have to earn and I’m determined to do that.
James Paterson at a press conference at Parliament House. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPShare
Updated at 20.19 EST
Paterson struggles to articulate how policy will be different under Taylor
Asked by several journalists how, exactly, Liberal policy will change under Angus Taylor, Paterson says he’s “not Angus’ spokesman”.
He says that Taylor is focused on Australians’ standards of living, and defending the “way of life” that is under attack.
A reporter points out that doesn’t sound particularly different to what Ley has also been pushing for.
Paterson says:
This will not be easy, nor will it be very quick in restoring the Liberal Party’s vote. But now third of voters have left us. It very clear the only way we can earn their support back is to [tell] them we have changed. The best way is to change [is to change] leaders.
Paterson also concedes that it’s not “solely” on Sussan Ley for how poorly the party has done in the polls.
Every member of parliament must take responsibility. This is collective responsibility and I believe we need to make a move in a direction under a different leader but whether we succeed after this will not be down to whether we have a new leader or who that is, it will be down to all of us, the work we and the collegiality.
Updated at 19.59 EST
Liberals losing ‘more than 7,000 votes a day’: Paterson
Liberal senator, and senior conservative, James Paterson, is addressing the media after also tendering his resignation this morning.
Paterson says the party has been haemorrhaging votes since the election, and declares that if a spill goes ahead, he will vote for Angus Taylor.
Over the months according to the most recent opinion polls, 2.1 million of those people have since deserted Coalition. That is more than 200,000 votes a month. It 50,000 votes a week. More than 7000 votes a day. This cannot go on.
Angus is the smartest policy brain in the shadow cabinet, a man of and courage and values. And most importantly, Angus understands this is a change or die moment for the Liberal Party.
Updated at 20.01 EST
‘Sussan has worker harder than many will ever know’ Duniam
Senior conservative, Jonno Duniam, has released a statement after resigning with James Paterson earlier this morning.
Duniam says he accepts some responsibility for the current situation of the Liberal party, and that “no one person, including a leader, can be held entirely responsible for the electoral position of a party; this is a team effort.”
He says the commentary and debate over the internal party matters “must come to an end”.
Such a stance puts me at odds with being able to remain in the Liberal Leadership team and in the Shadow Cabinet and I have therefore tendered my resignation.
I have also made it clear that, as a member of Sussan’s Leadership team, I also accept responsibility for the current situation in which the Liberal Party finds itself – no one person, including a Leader, can be held entirely responsible for the electoral position of a party; this is a team effort. An enormous team effort is now required to turn this ship around.
Sussan has worked harder than many will ever know and I have stood with her all the way – but this matter must now be resolved and our party needs to get on with the job of winning back the trust of Australians.
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Adeshola Ore
Herzog’s Melbourne visit ‘to provide care and support’, Vic premier says
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, also spoke to reporters about Israeli president Isaac Herzog’s visit to the state today.
Allan says she looks forward to welcoming Herzog to Victoria.
She says people should remember the purpose of the Australia visit – to provide care and comfort to the Jewish community who are grieving after the antisemitic Bondi beach terror attack:
It is an opportunity for all us to stand united with the Jewish community against this evilness of antisemitism.
Allan also spoke about the anti-Herzog graffiti in Melbourne. She describes the graffiti as “contemptible”.
We all want peace. We all want peace to come and causing hurt and grief, and indeed, violence, like we’ve seen as a result in Sydney, that does not bring peace.
That is what we need to remain focused on and that is certainly my focus, to support the Jewish community who are grieving that particularly evil and antisemitic act on Bondi beach, to provide care and support, but also recognise there are many grieving as a result of a conflict.
So many grieving and we want conflict to end. It doesn’t end by inflicting hurt and pain on anyone in the Victorian community.
A pro-Palestine protest opposing Herzog’s visit to Melbourne is expected to begin at 5pm tonight.
Updated at 19.46 EST
Malcolm Roberts’ device suggests ChatGPT answer his question in health estimates
Natasha May
While all the leadership drama is happening, there is also some work happening in the building … sort of.
As the Department of Health appeared before estimates this morning, questions around investments in the nation’s health were broken up by a lighter moment.
One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts asked what percentage of the department’s budget is spent on the committee review process for Medicare review of practitioners.
Just as the department official was replying he would need to take the question on notice, Roberts’ device chimed in: “I can use ChatGPT to answer that” – producing laughter from the room.
Updated at 19.43 EST
Taylor spill an ‘absolute disgrace’: Hanson-Young
Sarah Hanson-Young has no kind words for Angus Taylor, telling Sky News this morning the leadership contender “failed” as shadow treasurer and as a former energy minister.
The Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP
The Greens senator from South Australia ripped into Taylor on a panel with the deputy Nationals leader, Kevin Hogan, and said the Liberals shouldn’t be cutting down its first female leader.
I think this is an absolute disgrace of the Liberal party and no wonder their vote’s in the toilet.
He failed as shadow treasurer. He led the economic policy at the last election for the Liberal party and got absolutely smashed. He failed when he was energy and climate change minister, people’s power bills went up.
I mean, you know. Fantastic. Good move. Well done, Angus. If this is the best the Liberal party have, this reaction from the community to mark down the Coalition across the board is going to keep happening.
Hanson-Young adds that she reckons the party is going to get wiped at the upcoming SA state election in March.
Updated at 19.06 EST
Ley under pressure as resignations mount
It’s been an absolute whirlwind of a morning and things have been moving pretty quickly.
To recap, we’ve now had six resignations from the frontbench, including Angus Taylor, Jonathon Duniam, James Paterson, Claire Chandler, Matt O’Sullivan and Phil Thompson.
Earlier this morning, Jess Collins and Thompson handed a letter to request a special party room meeting and spill motion.
Ley will get to decide when that party room takes place. Here’s the full rundown:
Updated at 19.48 EST
Allan responds to CFMEU reportAdeshola Ore
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, has responded to a report that includes allegations the Victorian Labor government turned a blind eye to union corruption, despite the $15bn cost to taxpayers.
The report has been referred to police. The Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union’s (CFMEU) administrator, Mark Irving, on Wednesday released the full report to authorities, after suggestions it had initially been redacted to remove allegations that could damage Victoria’s Labor government.
The report claimed the CFMEU’s actions had increased costs, estimating it cost Victorian taxpayers upwards of $15bn.
Speaking to reporters, Allan said the claims about the cost had not been “well tested”:
Let’s be clear that the claim of any amount has not been well tested or properly founded, as said by the administrator.
Allan also said law enforcement agencies needed to do their work independently of government.
She pointed to reports today that a Victoria police taskforce had arrested a Bandido bikie and former CFMEU delegate over allegations he extorted a building company.
Updated at 18.46 EST
Angus Taylor is in the house
All smiles from Angus Taylor in the house this morning during a division.
Liberal member for Hume, Angus Taylor, after a division in the House of Representatives. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP
And despite them sitting on either side of the leadership divide, it looks like Andrew Wallace and Phil Thompson are still pretty chummy this morning.
The Liberal member for Groom, Garth Hamilton, The shadow Attorney-General, Andrew Wallace, the Liberal member for Canning, Andrew Hastie, and the Liberal member for Herbert, Phillip Thompson. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPShare
Updated at 18.20 EST
Two senior conservatives add their names to list of resignations
Dan Jervis-Bardy
Two of the most senior conservatives, Jonno Duniam and James Paterson have just resigned together from the frontbench.
Duniam was the shadow minister for home affairs and manager of opposition business in the Senate while Paterson was the shadow minister for finance.
It’s a big blow for Sussan Ley.
It brings the total tally of resignations to six including Angus Taylor.
Updated at 18.19 EST
Jumping back to Sussan Ley’s pitch for “a better future”, we’ve just noticed some other similarities.
If ease the squeeze also sounds a bit familiar to you, it’s also been ripped from a previous Labor campaign, when then-leader Mark Latham released the ALP’s “Ease the Squeeze” taxation policy in 2004.
Now, to be fair, there aren’t really that many policy or political slogans to go around, but we just thought we’d point it out.
Updated at 19.04 EST
Ley posts her pitch to the public for ‘a better future’
Josh Butler
Sussan Ley is still tweeting through the turmoil.
The leader of the opposition (at least at time of writing) has published a post on X, a photo of herself smiling with no less than five separate three-word slogans superimposed on it – “a better future”, “delivering for families”, “fix the budget”, “ease the squeeze”, and “make Australia safe”.
Sound remotely familiar?
You might remember that “a better future” – which is the largest text directly under Ley’s face – was also Labor’s 2022 central election campaign slogan.
“We will take the pressure off families, fix the budget, and keep Australia safe,” Ley wrote on X alongside the image.
Updated at 18.01 EST