Ley stalls on announcing Liberal-only frontbench
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has delayed announcing a new frontbench, as her allies grow increasingly confident she will survive a potential leadership challenge.
What we know:
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There are 11 gaps in Ley’s frontbench, including six in the shadow cabinet, following the Liberal’s split with the Nationals last week (AFR).
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Ley is due to announce her new frontbench over the coming days, but Liberal sources suggest the opposition leader has withheld from announcing her team as it would effectively cement the dissolution of the Coalition (The Canberra Times).
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Other Liberal sources say Ley may use the opportunity to secure support as leader ahead of a potential leadership spill.
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Ley’s allies are growing increasingly confident she will remain as leader, with support among the party’s right wing split between Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor (SMH).
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Nationals leader David Littleproud is reportedly planning to assign portfolios to the Nationals as soon as this week (The Guardian).
- Read more: ‘This is a disaster for us’: Inside the Coalition’s split (TSP)
