Former leader of the Liberal Party Sussan Ley has formally resigned from parliament, leaving her successor Angus Taylor with his first major test as leader.

Ley announced she would pass on returning to federal parliament for a final speech and would instead immediately leave politics on Friday morning.

Her resignation comes after 25 years as the representative for the seat of Farrer, in southwest NSW, and just two weeks after she was ousted by Taylor in a 34-17 vote among Liberal MPs.

“I am confident that my efforts and achievements over 25 years will speak for themselves,” she said.

Ley became the first woman to lead the Liberal Party and the first woman to lead an opposition following a disastrous 2025 federal election.

“After the Liberal Party suffered our worst defeat in 81 years, it was with gratitude and humility that I took on the role of leader of our party,” she said.

“I believe my election as the first woman to ever lead not just the federal Liberal Party, but any federal opposition, is a milestone for all women to be proud of.

“I hope I have paved the way for the next woman to be elected to, and succeed in, both these roles.”

Ley turned the once-National stronghold of Farrer into a Liberal Party safe seat for a quarter-century and spent a large portion of her statement thanking her constituents.

”I came to know the electorate as a candidate, towing the caravan I lived in when I worked in the shearing sheds, up and down the Murray River,” she said.

Sussan Ley has announced her immediate resignation from parliament just two weeks after being ousted as Liberal Party leader. Sussan Ley has announced her immediate resignation from parliament just two weeks after being ousted as Liberal Party leader. Credit: AAP

“I became attached to the landscapes and lifestyles of this part of Australia and was never prouder than when speaking up for our communities in the national parliament.

“The people and their stories will always be with me.

“Farming families battling fires, dust storms, drought and low irrigation allocations; small business owners breathing activity into quiet streets and local volunteers asking for so little but doing so much.”

First challenge for Angus Taylor

Ley’s resignation will now trigger a hotly contested byelection for Farrer, with both the Nationals and One Nation already announcing they will be challenging the Liberals for the seat.

The election will be the first challenge of Taylor’s young leadership alongside deputy Jane Hume, with the Coalition sitting at just 24 per cent support of primary votes, according to recent polling by Roy Morgan.

Ley’s successor, Angus Taylor, now faces a challenge from the Nationals and One Nation for her seat of Farrer.Ley’s successor, Angus Taylor, now faces a challenge from the Nationals and One Nation for her seat of Farrer. Credit: AAP

Taylor’s election helped spur a five per cent rise for the Coalition, while One Nation’s surge in the polls dropped slightly to 20.5 per cent.

Defending Farrer would just be the first step though, as the Coalition sits 10 points back from Labor in a two-party preferred vote.

Despite being ousted by Taylor as leader, Ley firmly placed her support behind her successor.

“The election of a Liberal member in the Farrer byelection 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,” she said.

SOURCE: https://7news.com.au/news/sussan-ley-officially-resigns-from-parliament-after-being-ousted-as-liberal-party-leader-by-angus-taylor-c-21773066