The Briefing New female Liberal leader + The two words banned inside the party
May 13, 2025
Julia Banks, a former Liberal MP, digs into the historical significance of Sussan Ley as the first female leader of the Federal Liberal Party. She discusses the internal threats Ley faces from the party's hard right and emphasizes the urgent need to engage female and younger voters. Julia reveals the behind-the-scenes realities of party dynamics, sharing insights on the two words that are strictly off-limits in discussions. Her perspective sheds light on the Liberal Party’s struggles to adapt to modern electoral demands.
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Historic Female Liberal Leader
- Susan Lee's election as the first female Liberal Party leader is historic but may not drive significant change.
- The party has very few female MPs compared to Labor, indicating deep gender imbalance challenges.
Liberal Party Division & Shift Right
- The Liberal Party remains divided with a close leadership vote reflecting internal conflict.
- The party's shift to the right alienates women, young voters, and multicultural communities.
Susan Lee's Glass Cliff Situation
- Susan Lee likely faces a 'glass cliff' situation, being set up to lead a party in crisis.
- A female leader alone won't fix the Liberal Party's ingrained structural problems.