As it happened: Liberals bewildered after Henderson refuses to support Ley
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Opposition comments on party leadership
Scott Buchholz, opposition skills and training spokesman, urged observers not to confuse Sussan Ley’s “feminine politeness” with weakness. The Queensland MP also criticized former leader Peter Dutton’s style, calling it “authoritarian,” and responded to Victorian Liberal senator Sarah Henderson’s remarks made earlier today.
“I see Sussan doing incredible things, given the circumstances that she’s been having to deal with. I think what the party’s struggling with is the style of leadership that Sussan brings.”
Buchholz highlighted the shift in leadership approach:
“Don’t mistake her feminine politeness for weakness. We have come from a previous leadership style of authoritarian [under Dutton] to now a consultative style, and some people mistake that, but there are just different styles of leadership.”
He said he had not heard Henderson’s statements on Ley’s leadership until informed, calling her comments “career-limiting.” Buchholz added that the party is still grieving after the May election defeat and needs time to recover.
Additional update from the newsroom
Alexander Darling in Melbourne takes over the live updates from Kayla Olaya, noting a busy hour in the news cycle.
Summary
The Liberal party is facing internal tensions over leadership styles, amid ongoing recovery from recent electoral setbacks.
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