Sussan Ley, the former leader of the Liberal Party, has resigned from federal parliament, ending a 25-year career in Australian politics. In a statement released on Friday morning, Ley confirmed her departure was effective immediately, closing the chapter on a career that spanned four Coalition governments and a period as the first woman to lead the Liberal Party in opposition.
Ley was first elected as the member for Farrer, a large electorate covering much of south-western NSW, in 2001. Over two decades she served as a minister across portfolios including health and the environment, before taking on the leadership of the Liberal Party after the Coalition's 2022 federal election defeat.
In her statement, Ley drew on the personal significance that Australia has held for her since childhood. "For me, I have never lost the feeling I had as a young girl, migrating to Australia, stepping off the plane after travelling halfway round the world," she said. "A big sky, a big country, a place to dream your biggest dreams."
Her departure also carried a direct message to Liberal leader Angus Taylor about the upcoming Farrer by-election. Without naming Taylor explicitly, Ley urged the party to ensure the seat remains in Liberal hands. "The electorate has always been bigger than any one individual and has always been well-served by the Liberal Party," she said. "The election of a Liberal Member in the Farrer by-election is vital for the betterment and ongoing strength of our region and I know that Angus Taylor can and will ensure the Party continues to enjoy the support, trust and confidence of the people of Farrer."
The by-election for Farrer will be closely watched. The seat has long been considered a safe Liberal electorate, though the party's performance in regional NSW has faced mounting pressure in recent cycles as independents have made inroads into what were once considered heartland constituencies. A loss in Farrer, however unlikely, would be a significant blow to a party still rebuilding after successive federal defeats.
For Ley personally, the legacy she leaves is a complex one. Supporters point to her record in government, particularly her tenure as Health Minister, where she managed significant aged care reform processes and the early stages of Australia's COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Critics, including from within Labor and the Greens, argued her record in those portfolios was patchy and at times reactive rather than proactive. Her period as Liberal leader was also marked by internal tension as the party grappled with questions of direction and identity.
What is difficult to dispute is the longevity and breadth of her service. Representing a regional constituency the size of many small countries, Ley served as a local member, a senior minister, and ultimately a party leader, all while maintaining deep ties to the Farrer community. "I thank the people of Farrer for the honour of representing them for the last 25 years," she said in her statement. "I am confident that my efforts and achievements over 25 years will speak for themselves."
The resignation adds another chapter to the ongoing story of the Liberal Party's post-election reconstruction. Whether the by-election for Farrer proceeds smoothly, and whether the party can hold the seat while managing internal leadership dynamics, will say something about how effectively the party has consolidated under Taylor's leadership. For a party that values stability and regional representation as core values, holding Farrer is more than a numbers exercise. It is a signal to its own base.
Ley's exit marks the end of one era in the party's story. What follows depends on whether the Liberals can translate her parting message into votes when the people of Farrer head to the polls. The Australian Electoral Commission will set the by-election date in the coming weeks, and both major parties will be watching the outcome carefully.