The party’s election campaign was cruelled by a lack of detailed policy on economics, migration and areas such as health and education. This masthead reported in May that Dutton’s pollster was sending near-daily missives to Dutton’s staff pleading for tax and cost-of-living pledges as the party’s support sank and it lost the economic debate, traditionally a Coalition strength, amid an inflation crisis.
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The resignation of Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, adventurous vision statements from self-described leadership aspirant Hastie and discontent on the right flank of the party have caused angst for Ley lately as the party’s polling remains at record lows. Despite the troubles, Ley has the numbers in the party room and retains the support of key members of the Right.
The charter letters build on the opposition’s establishment of five new policy committees, some of which have already met as the party brawls over the net zero climate target.
Liberal MP Tony Pasin, one of the most right-wing members of the party, highlighted frustration about Ley’s decision to cast aside all election policies.
“I told senior colleagues effectively you are throwing me out into the community naked, with nothing to say or do or talk about,” he said last week.
Asked on Monday if she was worried Hastie was angling to challenge her, Ley said: “No, I’m not.
“I’m very confident that all of my colleagues are expressing strongly held views, and they do that in many ways”.
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