Full Story Newsroom edition: a win for Albanese, but when it rains it pours for Sussan Ley
Oct 23, 2025
Lenore Taylor, Editor of Guardian Australia, joins her colleagues Mike Ticher, Head of the newsroom, and Josephine Tovey, National news editor, to dissect the dynamic Australian political landscape. They discuss Anthony Albanese's successful meeting with Donald Trump and how it shapes his international standing. The panel also delves into the Coalition's internal strife, particularly Sussan Ley's challenges, and the distractions caused by debates over net zero. Key issues like stalled environmental reforms and housing prices emerge as pressing voter concerns.
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Coalition's Internal Chaos Undermines Messaging
- The Coalition appears fragmented, unable to agree on climate, immigration, economic direction or foreign policy.
- Sussan Ley's attempts to present traditional liberal principles were overshadowed by internal dissent and media distractions.
Ley's Call For Rudd Backfires
- Josephine Tovey recounts Sussan Ley calling for Kevin Rudd to be sacked after the Trump meeting, which provoked internal criticism.
- Ley quickly walked back the comments amid party sniping and mixed reactions from colleagues like Jane Hume.
Net Zero Focus Distracts From Core Issues
- The Coalition's fixation on attacking net zero wastes opportunities to critique government on bread-and-butter issues.
- Opponents could better capitalise on genuine concerns like consultation, pace and regional impacts of the energy transition.