View source for Sussan Ley

{{Short description|Australian politician (born 1961)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2015}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix    = [[The Honourable]]
| name                = Sussan Ley
| honorific-suffix    = [[Australian House of Representatives|MP]]
| image               = Sussan Ley 2020 (cropped).jpg
| caption             = Sussan Ley in 2020
| office              = [[Leader of the Opposition (Australia)|Leader of the Opposition]]
| primeminister       = [[Anthony Albanese]]
| deputy              = [[Ted O'Brien (Australian politician)|Ted O'Brien]]
| term_start          = 13 May 2025
| term_end            = 
| predecessor         = [[Peter Dutton]]
| successor           = 
| order1              = 16th
| office1             = Leader of the Liberal Party of Australia{{!}}Leader of the Liberal Party
| deputy1             = Ted O'Brien
| term_start1         = 13 May 2025{{efn|[[Acting (law)|Acting]]: 5–13 May 2025}}
| term_end1           = 
| predecessor1        = Peter Dutton
| successor1          = 
| office2             = [[Leader of the Opposition (Australia)#List of deputy leaders of the opposition|Deputy Leader of the Opposition]]
| leader2             = Peter Dutton
| term_start2         = 30 May 2022
| term_end2           = 13 May 2025
| predecessor2        = [[Richard Marles]]
| successor2          = Ted O'Brien
| office3             = [[Leader of the Liberal Party of Australia#Federal deputy leaders|Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party]]
| leader3             = Peter Dutton<br />''Herself'' (acting)
| term_start3         = 30 May 2022
| term_end3           = 13 May 2025
| predecessor3        = [[Josh Frydenberg]]
| successor3          = Ted O'Brien
{{collapsed infobox section begin |last=yes|Ministerial offices {{nobold|2013–{{wj}}2022}}
| titlestyle          = border:1px dashed lightgrey;}}{{Infobox officeholder|embed=yes
| office2             = [[Minister for the Environment (Australia)|Minister for the Environment]]
| primeminister2      = [[Scott Morrison]]
| term_start2         = 29 May 2019
| term_end2           = 23 May 2022
| predecessor2        = [[Melissa Price (politician)|Melissa Price]]
| successor2          = [[Tanya Plibersek]]
| office3             = [[Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development|Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories]]
| primeminister3      = Scott Morrison
| term_start3         = 26 August 2018
| term_end3           = 26 May 2019
| predecessor3        = ''Office established''
| successor3          = [[Nola Marino]]
| office4             = [[Minister for Health (Australia)|Minister for Health]]
| primeminister4      = [[Tony Abbott]]<br />[[Malcolm Turnbull]]
| term_start4         = 23 December 2014
| term_end4           = 13 January 2017
| predecessor4        = Peter Dutton
| successor4          = [[Greg Hunt]]
| office5             = [[Minister for Sport (Australia)|Minister for Sport]]
| primeminister5      = Tony Abbott<br />Malcolm Turnbull
| term_start5         = 23 December 2014
| term_end5           = 13 January 2017
| predecessor5        = Peter Dutton
| successor5          = Greg Hunt
| office6             = [[Minister for Health and Aged Care#List of ministers for aged care|Minister for Aged Care]]
| primeminister6      = Malcolm Turnbull
| term_start6         = 30 September 2015
| term_end6           = 13 January 2017
| predecessor6        = [[Christian Porter]]
| successor6          = [[Ken Wyatt]] <br />{{small|(as Assistant Minister for Health and Minister for Indigenous Health and Aged Care)}}
| office7             = [[Minister for Education and Training#List of assistant ministers|Assistant Minister for Education]]
| primeminister7      = Tony Abbott
| term_start7         = 18 September 2013
| term_end7           = 23 December 2014
| predecessor7        = [[Kate Ellis (politician)|Kate Ellis]]
| successor7          = [[Simon Birmingham]]{{collapsed infobox section end}}
}}
| parliament10        = Australian
| predecessor10       = [[Tim Fischer]]
| successor10         = 
| term_start10        = 10 November 2001
| term_end10          = 
| birth_name          = Susan Penelope Braybrooks
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|df=y|1961|12|14}}
| birth_place         = [[Kano (city)|Kano]], Nigeria
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| spouse              = {{marriage |John Ley|1987|2004|end=div}}
| partner             = 
| children            = 3
| party               = [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal]] (since 1994)
| relations           = 
| residence           = [[Albury]], [[New South Wales]], Australia
| alma_mater          = [[La Trobe University]]<br>[[University of New South Wales]]<br>[[Charles Sturt University]]
| occupation          = Aircraft pilot, taxation officer
| profession          = 
| religion            = 
| signature           = 
| website             = {{url|sussanley.com/}}
| footnotes           = 
| otherparty          = 
| office8             = Member of the [[Australian House of Representatives|Australian Parliament]]<br>for [[Division of Farrer|Farrer]]
}}
'''Sussan Penelope Ley''' (pron. {{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|uː|z|ən|_|ˈ|l|iː}}, "Susan Lee";<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnNlIWNIBnA|title=Sussan Ley (Australia) - message during #AdaptationSummit 2021 (Climate Adaptation Summit)|author=Climate Adaptation Summit|publisher=[[YouTube]]|date=29 January 2021|access-date=1 October 2022|archive-date=1 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001040347/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnNlIWNIBnA|url-status=live}}</ref> {{nee|'''Susan Penelope Braybrooks'''}}; born 14 December 1961) is an Australian politician who has served as the [[Leader of the Opposition (Australia)|Leader of the Opposition]] and [[Leader of the Liberal Party of Australia|leader of the Liberal Party]] since May 2025,<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Truu |first=Maani |date=13 May 2025 |title=Sussan Ley becomes first woman to lead Liberal Party |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-13/liberal-party-new-leader-sussan-ley/105285148 |access-date=2025-05-13 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref> being the first woman to hold either role. Prior to assuming the party leadership, she was the [[Leader of the Opposition (Australia)#List of deputy leaders of the opposition|Deputy Leader of the Opposition]] and deputy leader of the Liberal Party. Ley served as a [[Cabinet of Australia|cabinet]] minister in the [[Abbott government|Abbott]], [[Turnbull government|Turnbull]] and [[Morrison government]]s. She also served as a [[parliamentary secretary]] in the final term of the [[Howard government]].

Ley was born in Nigeria to English parents and grew up in the [[Trucial States]] (now the United Arab Emirates) and England before moving to Australia as a teenager. Prior to entering politics, she worked as a commercial pilot, farmer and public servant based in [[Albury]], New South Wales. She was elected to the [[Australian House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] at the [[2001 Australian federal election|2001 federal election]] representing the regional New South Wales division of [[Division of Farrer|Farrer]].

In the Abbott and Turnbull governments, Ley held various ministerial portfolios including [[Minister for Health (Australia)|Health]], [[Minister for Sport (Australia)|Sport]], and [[Minister for Aged Care and Seniors|Aged Care]]. She resigned from the ministry in January 2017 following a controversy over her travel expense claims, but returned in August 2018 when [[Scott Morrison]] succeeded [[Malcolm Turnbull]] as prime minister. She subsequently served as Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories and [[Minister for the Environment (Australia)|Minister for the Environment]] prior to the government's defeat at the [[2022 Australian federal election|2022 federal election]]. Following the [[2025 Australian federal election|2025 federal election]], Ley became the acting leader of the Liberal Party,<ref name="DuttonSuccessor">{{Cite news |date=2025-05-04 |title=No clear favourite as Liberals weigh Dutton successor |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-04/liberal-leadership-four-contenders-federal-election-2025/105250010 |access-date=2025-05-04 |work=ABC News |first=Tom |last=Crowley}}</ref><ref name="ActingLeader" /> and won the subsequent [[2025 Liberal Party of Australia leadership election|Liberal leadership election]] to become leader of the Liberal Party and therefore Leader of the Opposition.<ref name=":1" />

== Early years and education ==
Susan<ref name=":2"/><ref name =spelling>{{cite web |title=Lib leader's name change shocks hosts of The Project |website=news |date=13 May 2025 |url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/sussan-leys-name-change-shocks-the-hosts-of-the-project/news-story/0bb80f2c5496d64cb626b9f36bc0eb48 |access-date=21 July 2025}}</ref> Penelope Braybrooks was born the daughter of English parents, Edgar Hosken Braybrooks and Angela Mary Braybrooks née Weston,<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 December 2017 |title=Statement in relation to citizenship |url=https://dl.aph.gov.au/citizenship/LeyS_CTZ45P.pdf |access-date=15 May 2025 |website=aph.gov.au}}</ref> on 14 December 1961 in [[Kano (city)|Kano]], [[Northern Region, Nigeria|Northern Region]], [[Federation of Nigeria]].<ref name=aph>{{Cite Au Parliament |name=Hon Sussan Ley MP |mpid=00AMN |access-date=2021-11-03}}</ref> Her family moved to the [[Trucial States]] ([[United Arab Emirates]]) when she was one year old, where her father worked as a British intelligence officer. They lived first in [[Qatar]], then [[Sharjah]], [[Dubai]], [[Abu Dhabi]], and lastly [[Al Ain]]. Her father worked with the [[sheikh]]s who ruled the states at that time.<ref name=int2015>{{cite interview| interviewer-first=Bridget| interviewer-last= Guthrie|first= Sussan |last= Ley | title=Sussan Ley | website=NSW Migration Heritage Centre | date=19 August 2015 | url=https://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/exhibition/belongings/ley/index.html | access-date=24 July 2025}}</ref> Ley attended boarding school in England until she was 13 years old, when her family migrated to Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/exhibition/belongings/ley/|title=Sussan Ley – NSW Migration Heritage Centre|work=nsw.gov.au|access-date=9 January 2017|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230744/http://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/exhibition/belongings/ley/|url-status=live}}</ref> 

Her parents bought a hobby farm in [[Toowoomba]], [[Queensland]], but quickly sold it due to a crash in beef prices. They then moved to [[Canberra]], where her father worked for the [[Australian Federal Police]] (AFP).<ref name =mhs/> Ley attended Campbell High School and [[Dickson College]] in Canberra for her secondary schooling.<ref name =mhs>{{cite web|url = http://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/exhibition/belongings/ley/ | title = Sussan Ley (nee Braybrooks) | publisher = NSW Migration Heritage Centre | access-date = 21 September 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230744/http://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/exhibition/belongings/ley/|archive-date=3 March 2016|quote=when I was at Dixon College}}</ref> Ley initially said she changed her name from Susan to Sussan after reading about [[numerology]]<ref name=":2">{{cite web |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/health/sussan-leys-next-big-challenge/news-story/38922ac6dcf1e7911d1426394a457490 |title=Sussan Ley's next big challenge |first=Kate |last=Legge |work=[[The Australian]] |date=21 February 2015 |access-date=6 January 2017 |archive-date=19 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419084455/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/health/sussan-leys-next-big-challenge/news-story/38922ac6dcf1e7911d1426394a457490? |url-status=live}}</ref> some time after leaving school,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Staszewska |first1=Ewa |last2=Carr |first2=Cameron |last3=Anderson |first3=Stephanie |title=From Nigeria to Canberra: The rise of Sussan Ley, the Liberal Party's first female leader |website=SBS News |date=13 May 2025 |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/who-is-sussan-ley-the-liberal-partys-first-female-leader/lwatlwvb2?cid=newsapp:socialshare:other |access-date=21 July 2025}}</ref> although in a 2025 interview she said that, as a rebellious teenager, she added the extra "s" to annoy her family.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Chloe |date=16 May 2025 |title='You're a real powerhouse of a woman': Kyle Sandilands gushes over new Liberal leader Sussan Ley, despite close ties to PM Anthony Albanese |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/lifestyle/celebrity-life/youre-a-real-powerhouse-of-a-woman-kyle-sandilands-gushes-over-new-liberal-leader-sussan-ley-despite-close-ties-to-pm-anthony-albanese/news-story/3a82f3cadd164be89e76c7d453877ab2 |access-date=16 May 2025 |website=skynews.com.au}}</ref>

After marrying and settling on her husband's family farm outside [[Tallangatta]] in north-east [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]] and having three children, Ley started studying economics part-time at [[La Trobe University]]. She then became employed at the [[Australian Taxation Office]] at [[Albury]]<ref name=int2015/> as director of technical training from 1995 to 2001.<ref name=about/> While working there, did a master's degree in tax law,<ref name=int2015/> and, in 2000, a master of accountancy at [[Charles Sturt University]].<ref>{{cite web|url = https://alumni.csu.edu.au/current-alumni/meet-our-alumni/search/profiles/sussan-ley-master-of-accountancy-2000 | title = Sussan Ley - Master of Accountancy - 2000 | publisher = Charles Sturt University | access-date = 17 May 2025 }}</ref>  Her grandfather was a [[Church of England]] minister in England and she attended an Anglican church in Albury.<ref name="vegetarian">{{cite news |last=Law |first=Benjamin |date=19 October 2019 |title=Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley: 'I had to crawl along the floor at window level' |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/federal-environment-minister-sussan-ley-i-had-to-crawl-along-the-floor-at-window-level-20191014-p530eo.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022154206/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/federal-environment-minister-sussan-ley-i-had-to-crawl-along-the-floor-at-window-level-20191014-p530eo.html |archive-date=22 October 2022 |access-date=13 May 2025 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |authorlink=Benjamin Law (writer)}}</ref> She has also worked as a commercial pilot and shearers' cook.<ref name="about">{{cite web |url=http://sussanley.com/about-sussan-ley/|title=About Sussan Ley|website=SussanLey.com|access-date=17 March 2014|archive-date=17 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140217013808/http://sussanley.com/about-sussan-ley/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Political career==
Ley joined the Liberal Party's [[Tallangatta]] branch in 1994.<ref name=aph/> She was elected to the House of Representatives at the [[2001 Australian federal election|2001 election]], winning the New South Wales seat of [[Division of Farrer|Farrer]] for the Liberal Party following the retirement of former [[National Party of Australia|National Party]] leader and deputy prime minister [[Tim Fischer]], beating the Nationals candidate by 206 votes. At the time of her election she was living across the border in [[Old Tallangatta]], Victoria, and had recently lost Liberal [[preselection]] for the Victorian seat of [[Division of Indi|Indi]] to [[Sophie Mirabella]]. She campaigned in "a large caravan, brightly painted in Liberal blue".<ref name=":3">{{cite news|url=https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp0102/02rp11|title=Commonwealth Election 2001|first=Scott|last=Bennett|publisher=Australian Parliamentary Library|work=Research Papers 2001–02|date=19 March 2002|number=11|accessdate=24 May 2022|archive-date=24 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524060425/https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp0102/02rp11|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Howard government (2001–2007)===
{{See also|Howard government}}
In the Howard government, Ley was appointed Parliamentary Secretary (Children and Youth Affairs) in October 2004 and Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in January 2006.<ref name=aph/>

===Opposition (2007–2013)===
[[File:SussanLeyJerilderieLibraryOpening.JPG|thumb|left|upright|Ley in 2009 at the opening of a library in [[Jerilderie, New South Wales]]]]
Following the 2007 election, Ley was appointed Shadow Minister for Housing and Shadow Minister for Status of Women by Opposition Leader, Dr [[Brendan Nelson]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aph.gov.au/Library/parl/42/Shadow/6Dec07-22Sep08.htm|title=The 42nd Parliament – Shadow Ministry 6 December 2007 – 22 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124213202/http://aph.gov.au/Library/parl/42/Shadow/6Dec07-22Sep08.htm|archive-date=24 November 2011 }}</ref> moving to Shadow Minister for Customs and Justice when [[Malcolm Turnbull]] became Opposition Leader in September 2008.<ref name=":4">{{cite web|url=http://aph.gov.au/Library/parl/42/Shadow/08Dec09-25Mar10.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110602190322/http://www.aph.gov.au/Library/parl/42/Shadow/22Sep08-23Jan09.htm|archive-date=2 June 2011|title=The 42nd Parliament – Shadow Ministry 22 September 2008 – 23 January 2009}}</ref>

When [[Tony Abbott]] became Opposition Leader in December 2009 she was given the portfolio of Shadow Assistant Treasurer<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124212259/http://aph.gov.au/Library/parl/42/Shadow/08Dec09-25Mar10.htm|title=The 42nd Parliament – Shadow Ministry 8 December 2009 – 25 March 2010|url=http://aph.gov.au/Library/parl/42/Shadow/08Dec09-25Mar10.htm|archive-date=24 November 2011}}</ref> and was moved to Shadow Minister for Employment Participation and Shadow Minister for Childcare and Early Childhood Learning after the 2010 election.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aph.gov.au/Library/parl/43/Shadow/index.htm|title=The 43rd Parliament – Shadow Ministry 3 March 2011 -|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111207161103/http://www.aph.gov.au/Library/parl/43/Shadow/index.htm|archive-date=7 December 2011}}</ref>

===Abbott and Turnbull governments (2013–2018)===
[[File:SL - Speaking.jpg|thumb|upright|Ley in 2011]]
{{See also|Abbott government|Turnbull government}}
In September 2013, following the Coalition's victory at the [[2013 Australian federal election|2013 federal election]], Ley was appointed Assistant Minister for Education in the [[Abbott government]], with responsibility for childcare.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://australianpolitics.com/2013/09/16/first-abbott-ministry-announced.html|date=16 September 2013|title=First Abbott ministry announced|work=Australian Politics|access-date=17 September 2013|archive-date=29 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929174016/http://australianpolitics.com/2013/09/16/first-abbott-ministry-announced.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Following a ministerial reshuffle, she was promoted to [[Cabinet of Australia|cabinet]] in December 2014 as Minister for Health and Minister for Sport.<ref name="reshuffle2014-1">{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/national/sussan-ley-set-to-be-promoted-to-cabinet-in-reshuffle-by-prime-minister-tony-abbott/story-e6frfkp9-1227163359254 |title=Cabinet reshuffle: Tony Abbott promotes Sussan Ley to Health, David Johnston axed|work=[[news.com.au]]|date=21 December 2014|access-date=21 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221133135/http://www.news.com.au/national/northern-territory/cabinet-reshuffle-tony-abbott-promotes-sussan-ley-to-health-david-johnston-axed/story-fnn3gfdo-1227163359254|archive-date=21 December 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="reshuffle2014-2">{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/finance/work/the-shape-of-things-to-come-new-health-minister-sussan-leys-slush-fund-speech-shows-she-has-fight/story-fn5tas5k-1227163647940|title=The shape of things to come: New Health Minister Sussan Ley's 'slush fund' speech shows she has fight|last=Chung|first=Frank|date=21 December 2014|access-date=21 December 2014|work=[[news.com.au]]|archive-date=21 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221105145/http://www.news.com.au/finance/work/the-shape-of-things-to-come-new-health-minister-sussan-leys-slush-fund-speech-shows-she-has-fight/story-fn5tas5k-1227163647940|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="reshuffle2014-3">{{cite news|title=Tony Abbott cabinet reshuffle moves Scott Morrison out of immigration|date=21 December 2014|access-date=21 December 2014|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2014/dec/21/tony-abbott-cabinet-reshuffle-moves-scott-morrison-out-of-immigration|authorlink=Lenore Taylor|last=Taylor|first=Lenore|work=[[Guardian Australia]]|archive-date=23 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223104850/http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2014/dec/21/tony-abbott-cabinet-reshuffle-moves-scott-morrison-out-of-immigration|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="sworn">{{cite news|title=Tony Abbott's revamped Ministry sworn in at Government House|url=http://www.news.com.au/national/tony-abbotts-revamped-ministry-sworn-in-at-government-house/story-fncynjr2-1227164880085|work=[[news.com.au]]|date=23 December 2014|access-date=23 December 2014|archive-date=14 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914052514/http://www.news.com.au/national/tony-abbotts-revamped-ministry-sworn-in-at-government-house/story-fncynjr2-1227164880085|url-status=dead|first=Jennifer|last=Rajca}}</ref> She was also made Minister for Aged Care in September 2015 following the replacement of [[Tony Abbott]] with [[Malcolm Turnbull]].<ref name="aged">{{cite news|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/aged-care-health-minister-sussan-ley-to-pick-up-extra-portfolio-20150930-gjy248.html|title=Aged care: Health Minister Sussan Ley picks up extra portfolio|first=Jane|last=Lee|date=30 September 2015|access-date=1 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001205840/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/aged-care-health-minister-sussan-ley-to-pick-up-extra-portfolio-20150930-gjy248.html|archive-date=1 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2017, an examination of Ley's expenditure claims and travel entitlements revealed she had purchased an apartment on the Gold Coast, close to the business premises of her partner, for $795,000 while on official business in Queensland. Ley defended the purchase, saying her work in the Gold Coast was legitimate, that all travel had been within the rules for entitlements, and that the purchase of the apartment "was not planned nor anticipated"<ref name="goldcoast">{{cite news|title=Sussan Ley defends purchase of $800k unit on taxpayer-funded trip to Gold Coast|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-06/ley%27s-purchase-of-unit-on-taxpayer-funded-trip-%27not-planned%27/8165414|access-date=8 January 2017|work=ABC News|first1=Stephanie|last1=Anderson|first2=Ashlynne|last2=McGhee|date=6 January 2017|archive-date=7 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107222901/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-06/ley%27s-purchase-of-unit-on-taxpayer-funded-trip-%27not-planned%27/8165414|url-status=live}}</ref> (a claim which was widely derided).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/asia/2017/01/19/an-expenses-scandal-claims-an-australian-minister|title=An expenses scandal claims an Australian minister|date=19 January 2017|newspaper=The Economist|access-date=30 May 2019|archive-date=30 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530061813/https://www.economist.com/asia/2017/01/19/an-expenses-scandal-claims-an-australian-minister|url-status=live}}</ref> On 8 January, Ley released a statement acknowledging that the purchase had changed the context of her travel, and undertaking to repay the government for the cost of the trip in question as well as three others.<ref name="payback">{{cite news|title=Sussan Ley agrees to partly pay back cost of trips to Gold Coast after apartment purchase|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-08/sussan-ley-to-pay-back-cost-of-taxpayer-funded-gold-coast-trips/8168718|access-date=8 January 2017|work=ABC News|first1=Ashlynne|last1=McGhee|first2=Stephanie|last2=Anderson|date=8 January 2017|archive-date=8 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108155931/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-08/sussan-ley-to-pay-back-cost-of-taxpayer-funded-gold-coast-trips/8168718|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' reported that Ley had made 27 taxpayer-funded trips to the Gold Coast in recent years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/health-minister-sussan-ley-stands-aside-pending-investigation-over-taxpayerfunded-gold-coast-trips-20170108-gtnz6z.html|title=Health Minister Sussan Ley stands aside pending probe over taxpayer-funded Gold Coast trips|first=Matthew|last=Knott|date=9 January 2017|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=9 January 2017|archive-date=10 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170110040955/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/health-minister-sussan-ley-stands-aside-pending-investigation-over-taxpayerfunded-gold-coast-trips-20170108-gtnz6z.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 9 January 2017, Ley announced that she would stand aside from her ministerial portfolios until an investigation into her travel expenses was completed by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. She announced that she would not be making her diaries public.<ref>{{cite news|first=Stephanie|last=Anderson|title=Sussan Ley stands aside pending travel expenses investigation|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-09/sussan-ley-stands-aside-over-travel-expenses/8169410|access-date=9 January 2017|work=ABC News|date=9 January 2017|archive-date=9 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109070244/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-09/sussan-ley-stands-aside-over-travel-expenses/8169410|url-status=live}}</ref> On 13 January 2017, Prime Minister [[Malcolm Turnbull]] announced that Ley had resigned from the ministry.<ref name="resignation">{{cite news|title=Health Minister Sussan Ley resigns over expenses scandal|first1=Stephanie|last1=Anderson|first2=Henry|last2=Belot|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-13/sussan-ley-tenders-resignation-parliament-expenses-scandal/8180602|access-date=13 January 2017|publisher=ABC News|date=13 January 2017|archive-date=13 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113142602/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-13/sussan-ley-tenders-resignation-parliament-expenses-scandal/8180602|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Greg Hunt]] was appointed as Ley's replacement as the Minister for Health and Sport, and [[Ken Wyatt]] was appointed Assistant Minister for Health and Minister for Indigenous Health and Aged Care,<ref name="replace">{{cite news|first=Stephanie|last=Anderson|title=Greg Hunt announced as new Health Minister|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-18/greg-hunt-replaces-sussan-ley-as-health-minister/8190384|access-date=19 January 2017|work=ABC News|date=18 January 2017|archive-date=23 May 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523003842/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-18/greg-hunt-replaces-sussan-ley-as-health-minister/8190384}}</ref> both with effect from 24 January 2017.<ref name="sworn in 2017">{{cite news|title=New federal ministers officially sworn in|url=http://www.skynews.com.au/news/top-stories/2017/01/24/new-ministers-to-be-sworn-in.html|access-date=24 January 2017|work=Sky News (Australia)|via=[[Australian Associated Press|AAP]]|date=24 January 2017|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202033237/http://www.skynews.com.au/news/top-stories/2017/01/24/new-ministers-to-be-sworn-in.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Morrison government (2018–2022)===
{{See also|Morrison government}}
During the [[2018 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spills|2018 Liberal leadership spills]], Ley reportedly voted for [[Peter Dutton]] against [[Malcolm Turnbull]] in the first vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/malcolm-turnbull-v-peter-dutton-who-voted-for-who-the-full-list-20180821-p4zyvg.html|title=Malcolm Turnbull v Peter Dutton: Who voted for whom? The full list|date=21 August 2018|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|access-date=24 May 2022|archive-date=3 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703064915/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/malcolm-turnbull-v-peter-dutton-who-voted-for-who-the-full-list-20180821-p4zyvg.html|url-status=live}}</ref> She subsequently signed the petition requesting to hold a further party meeting to determine the leadership of the Liberal party,<ref>{{cite news|work=ABC News|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-24/the-liberal-mps-that-sparked-the-spill/10161660|title=Malcolm Turnbull asked to see who wanted him out – here are the Liberal MPs that signed on|access-date=25 August 2018|date=24 August 2018|archive-date=24 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824205622/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-24/the-liberal-mps-that-sparked-the-spill/10161660|url-status=live}}</ref> and again voted for Dutton against [[Scott Morrison]] in the second spill days later, which saw Morrison replace Turnbull as prime minister.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/how-the-party-members-voted-in-the-liberal-leadership-contest-20180824-p4zzoc.html|title=How the party members voted in the Liberal leadership contest|access-date=30 August 2018|date=24 August 2018|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|archive-date=25 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825180351/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/how-the-party-members-voted-in-the-liberal-leadership-contest-20180824-p4zzoc.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 26 August 2018, Ley was appointed Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories in the [[Morrison government]].<ref name="aph" /> In May 2019, following the party's victory at the [[2019 Australian federal election|2019 election]], she replaced [[Melissa Price (politician)|Melissa Price]] as [[Minister for the Environment (Australia)|Minister for the Environment]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-26/election-2019-scott-morrison-unveils-government-ministry/11150626|title=Scott Morrison stamps authority on Coalition with reshuffled Cabinet|date=26 May 2019|work=ABC News|first1=Henry|last1=Belot|first2=Dan|last2=Conifer|access-date=26 May 2019|archive-date=26 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526132530/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-26/election-2019-scott-morrison-unveils-government-ministry/11150626|url-status=live}}</ref>

In March 2022, Ley successfully appealed a [[Federal Court of Australia|Federal Court]] ruling that she had a "[[duty of care]] to children to consider climate change harm when approving coal mines".<ref>{{cite news|title=Climate duty of care ruling overturned but lawfare to continue|first1=Hannah|last1=Wootton|first2=Colin|last2=Packham|work=Australian Financial Review|date=16 March 2022|url=https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/landmark-climate-change-duty-of-care-ruling-overturned-20220315-p5a4qm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524061032/https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/landmark-climate-change-duty-of-care-ruling-overturned-20220315-p5a4qm|accessdate=24 May 2022|archive-date=24 May 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in March 2022, Ley approved a Coalition decision to scrap 176 out of 185 recovery plans designed to prevent the extinction of threatened species and habitats, including the [[Tasmanian devil]]. This was despite a government call for feedback, which received 6701 responses, all disagreeing with the proposed removal of the recovery plans.<ref name="cox">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jun/02/coalition-scrapped-recovery-plans-for-176-threatened-species-and-habitats-in-one-of-its-final-acts|title=Coalition scrapped recovery plans for 176 threatened species and habitats in one of its final acts|first=Lisa|last=Cox|publisher=Guardian Australia|date=2 June 2022|accessdate=2 June 2022|archive-date=1 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601223807/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jun/02/coalition-scrapped-recovery-plans-for-176-threatened-species-and-habitats-in-one-of-its-final-acts|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Opposition (2022–2025)===
{{See also|Dutton shadow ministry}}
[[File:Sussan Ley (Sept 21) (cropped).png|left|thumb|200px|Ley as environment minister in 2021]]
Following the Coalition's defeat at the [[2022 Australian federal election|2022 election]], it was reported that Ley would be a candidate to replace [[Josh Frydenberg]] as deputy leader of the party, following his electoral defeat.<ref name=norman>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-24/peter-dutton-only-candidate-liberal-leader-sussan-ley-deputy/101094524|title=Peter Dutton remains only candidate for Liberal leader, Sussan Ley and Jane Hume frontrunners for deputy|first=Jane|last=Norman|publisher=ABC News|date=24 May 2022|accessdate=24 May 2022|archive-date=24 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524034320/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-24/peter-dutton-only-candidate-liberal-leader-sussan-ley-deputy/101094524|url-status=live}}</ref> Ley was elected unopposed on [[2022 Liberal Party of Australia leadership election|30 May 2022]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-05-30 |title=Dutton replaces Scott Morrison at helm of Liberals with Sussan Ley elevated to deputy position |first=Georgia |last=Hitch |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-30/peter-dutton-liberal-party-leader-sussan-ley-deputy/101109498 |access-date=2022-05-30 |archive-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530171734/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-30/peter-dutton-liberal-party-leader-sussan-ley-deputy/101109498 |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2022, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek accused Ley, the former Environment Minister, of hiding a document that was handed to the coalition government in December 2021, ahead of the [[2022 Australian federal election]]. The document outlined the poor and declining health of the Australian ecosystem. "It tells a story of crisis and decline in Australia's environment [and] of a decade of government inaction and wilful ignorance," Ms Plibersek said.<ref name="slezak">{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-19/state-of-australian-environment-report/101247794|title=Majority of Australia's environment in 'poor' state as Labor blames the Coalition for decade of 'inaction and wilful ignorance'|first=Michael|last=Slezak|publisher=ABC News|date=19 July 2022|accessdate=19 July 2022|archive-date=18 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718224707/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-19/state-of-australian-environment-report/101247794|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="whiteman">{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/19/australia/australia-climate-change-environment-report-intl-hnk/index.html|title=Australia's environment is 'poor and deteriorating' says damning new report|first=Hilary|last=Whiteman|publisher=CNN|date=19 July 2022|accessdate=20 July 2022|archive-date=19 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719212857/https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/19/australia/australia-climate-change-environment-report-intl-hnk/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 2022, ahead of the Jobs and Skills Summit of Australia, Ley falsely stated that no one in the world is making an electric ute.<ref name=roberts>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-30/fact-check-sussan-ley-electric-ute/101386412|title=Sussan Ley said no one in the world is making an electric ute. Is that correct?|first=Matt|last=Roberts|publisher=ABC News|date=30 August 2022|accessdate=1 September 2022|archive-date=31 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831210215/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-30/fact-check-sussan-ley-electric-ute/101386412|url-status=live}}</ref> "We know we're not going to have electric vehicles tomorrow," Ms Ley said. "And no one in the world is making an electric ute, by the way, and even if they were it would be unaffordable." After commentators pointed out that electric utes were already in production, a spokesperson for Ms Ley said that Ms Ley meant that, "EV utes are not yet commercially available in Australia and even if EV utes arrived here overnight, cost-effective models — which invariably have lower distance ranges — are not yet suitable for practical use in rural and regional Australia."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.smartcompany.com.au/sustainability/ev-council-ceo-shadow-business-minister-electric-utes/ | title="A monumental blunder": EV Council CEO rolls eyes after Shadow Small Business Minister claims electric utes don't exist | date=29 August 2022 | first=Emma | last=Elsworthy | publisher=SmartCompany | access-date=9 August 2023 | archive-date=10 August 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810230648/https://www.smartcompany.com.au/sustainability/ev-council-ceo-shadow-business-minister-electric-utes/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2023, Ley dressed up as [[Tina Turner]] in Parliament to raise money for cancer.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/let-me-introduce-my-alter-ego-sussan-ley-rocks-up-to-parliament-as-tina-leyna-turner-as-part-of-dare-for-cancer-charity/news-story/94729ab9c00a9abe9a78d16e02e30716?amp | title=Sussan Ley introduces her alter ego 'Tina Ley-na Turner' | date=7 March 2023 | access-date=24 May 2023 | archive-date=24 May 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524211848/https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/let-me-introduce-my-alter-ego-sussan-ley-rocks-up-to-parliament-as-tina-leyna-turner-as-part-of-dare-for-cancer-charity/news-story/94729ab9c00a9abe9a78d16e02e30716?amp | url-status=live }}</ref> In February 2024, on the eve of the [[2024 Dunkley by-election]], Ley posted a [[Tweet (social media)|tweet]] linking a crime incident in [[Frankston, Victoria|Frankston]] to "foreign criminals".<ref>{{Cite tweet |last=Ley |first=Sussan |author-link=Sussan Ley |user=sussanley |number=1763060889765515496 |date=29 February 2024 |title=If you live in Frankston and you've got a problem with Victorian women being assaulted by foreign criminals, vote against Labor. If you do not want to see Australian women being assaulted by foreign criminals, vote against Labor. Send Labor a message.|url-status=live |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=13 May 2025}}</ref> [[Victoria Police]] had charged an immigration detainee but later dropped the charges after a case of mistaken identity. Speaking after the police bungle was revealed, a spokesperson for Ms Ley told the ABC the deputy leader stood by her comments completely, suggesting it spoke to the broader issue of how the government had handled the release of the detainees into the community.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-29/ex-detainee-charged-with-sex-offences-high-court/103527968|title=Ex-detainee has sex offence charges dropped in police bungle|first=Matthew|last=Doran|publisher=ABC News|date=29 February 2024|accessdate=13 May 2025|archive-date=|archive-url=}}</ref> Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was "extraordinary" that Ley had refused to delete her tweet.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ireland |first1=Olivia |title=Sussan Ley stands by 'foreign criminals' post on eve of Dunkley byelection |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/sussan-ley-stands-by-foreign-criminals-tweet-on-eve-of-dunkley-byelection-20240301-p5f903.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=1 March 2024 |access-date=13 May 2025 |archive-date= |archive-url= }}</ref>

== Leader of the Opposition (2025–present) ==
{{Main|Ley shadow ministry}}

Incumbent party leader [[Peter Dutton]] lost re-election for his seat of [[Division of Dickson|Dickson]] at the [[2025 Australian federal election|2025 federal election]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australia-state-broadcaster-abc-projects-opposition-leader-dutton-lose-seat-2025-05-03/ |title=Australia opposition leader Dutton loses seat in shock vote defeat |work=[[Reuters]] |first=Alasdair |last=Pal |date=3 May 2025 |access-date=15 May 2025}}</ref> making Ley the acting [[Leader of the Liberal Party of Australia|leader of the Liberal Party]].<ref name="DuttonSuccessor" /><ref name="ActingLeader">{{Cite news |date=2025-05-03 |title=Live: Sussan Ley reflects on Liberal Party defeat, outlines next steps |first=Shiloh |last=Payne |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-04/federal-election-2025-live-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton/105249086#live-blog-post-176844 |access-date=2025-05-04 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref>  Ley won the [[2025 Liberal Party of Australia leadership election|subsequent party leadership election]] by 29 votes to 25, defeating [[National Right (Liberal Party of Australia)|conservative]] opponent [[Angus Taylor]].<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=9 May 2025 |title=Price defection slammed as Taylor and Ley confirm plans to run |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-09/jacinta-nampijinpa-price-defection-liberals-slammed/105270512 |access-date=9 May 2025 |work=ABC News |first1=Jacob |last1=Greber |first2=Olivia |last2=Caisley}}</ref> Ley is the first woman elected to lead the Liberals, the [[Liberal–National Coalition|Coalition]], or serve as the [[Leader of the Opposition (Australia)|Leader of the Opposition]] at the federal level in Australia.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="FirstFemaleBBC" /> At 63, Ley is also the oldest first-time Leader of the Opposition since [[Arthur Calwell]] in 1960.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last1=Cassidy |first1=Caitlin |last2=Kelly |first2=Cait |date=2025-05-13 |title=Australia news live: Sussan Ley claims PM's approach to Jewish Australians 'one of the biggest threats to social cohesion' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/may/13/australia-news-live-sussan-ley-angus-taylor-liberal-leadership-ballot-jim-chalmers-anthony-albanese-labor-economy-ntwnfb#top-of-blog |access-date=2025-05-13 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

On 20 May 2025, the federal Coalition was temporarily dissolved due to policy disagreements between the Liberal and National parties.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McIlroy |first=Tom |date=2025-05-20 |title=Nationals leaving Coalition as David Littleproud announces split with Liberal party after election defeat |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/20/nationals-leaving-split-coalition-liberal-party-australian-election |access-date=2025-05-20 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Eight days later, on 28 May, the Liberal and National parties reached an agreement to re-form the coalition.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sakkal |first1=Paul |title=Ley breaks with Dutton on immigration, DOGE, but ignites feuding after cull |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/coalition-finally-back-together-as-littleproud-rival-rejects-frontbench-job-20250528-p5m2tr.html |access-date=4 June 2025 |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald |date=28 May 2025}}</ref> Ley appointed [[Ley shadow ministry|her shadow cabinet]] that day which is made up of 16 Liberal and 5 Nationals members with [[Ted O'Brien (Australian politician)|Ted O'Brien]] as the Deputy Leader and Shadow Treasurer.<ref>{{cite news|first=David|last=Speers|author-link=David Speers|title=Liberals and Nationals are pals again. Now the hard work begins|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-29/nationals-liberals-reunite-coalition-frontbench-shadow-cabinet/105347460|publisher=ABC News|date=29 May 2025|access-date=7 June 2025|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250602021302/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-29/nationals-liberals-reunite-coalition-frontbench-shadow-cabinet/105347460|archive-date=2 June 2025}}</ref>

On 10 September 2025, Ley removed [[Jacinta Nampijinpa Price]] from shadow cabinet after she refused to publicly support Ley's leadership.<ref>{{cite news |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |access-date=10 September 2025 |date=10 September 2025 |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-10/jacinta-nampijinpa-price-refuses-to-apologise-sussan-ley/105758494 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250910080951/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-10/jacinta-nampijinpa-price-refuses-to-apologise-sussan-ley/105758494 |url-status=live |archive-date=10 September 2025 |first1=Tom |last1=Crowley |last2=Norman |first2=Jane |name-list-style=and |title=Jacinta Nampijinpa Price axed from Liberal frontbench after failure to back Opposition Leader Sussan Ley}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news|last1=Jervis-Bardy|first1=Dan|last2=McIlroy|first2=Tom|title=Ley dumps Nampijinpa Price from shadow ministry over refusal to back leadership or apologise over migrants comments|work=The Guardian|date=10 September 2025|access-date=10 September 2025}}</ref> A [[Newspoll]] conducted later that week indicated that the Coalition had fallen to its lowest level of support since its inception in 1985.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chambers |first=Geoff |date=September 14, 2025 |title=Newspoll: Coalition slumps to its worst ever primary vote |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/newspoll-coalition-records-its-worst-ever-primary-vote/news-story/ff6fc647bd2b283d45d28a9b62106b7a |access-date=September 15, 2025 |work=The Australian}}</ref>

On 3 October 2025, [[Andrew Hastie]] resigned from the shadow ministry, due to his disagreements with Ley on immigration policy, and his inability to comply with Ley's 'charter letters'.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Evans |first1=Jake |title=Andrew Hastie quits shadow cabinet |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-03/andrew-hastie-quits-shadow-cabinet/105850958 |access-date=3 October 2025 |agency=ABC}}</ref>

==Political positions==
Ley is a member of the [[Moderates (Liberal Party of Australia)|moderate faction]] of the [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal Party]],<ref name = "FirstFemaleBBC">{{Cite news |date=13 May 2025 |first=Tiffanie |last=Turnbull |title=Sussan Ley: Australia's Liberal Party names first female leader |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjrn4x1xr2do |access-date=15 May 2025 |work=BBC News }}</ref><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Massola |first1=James |date=8 April 2023 |title=How Morrison's shattering defeat gave Dutton a seismic shift in factional power |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/how-morrison-s-shattering-defeat-gave-dutton-a-seismic-shift-in-factional-power-20230330-p5cwoq.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410122913/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/how-morrison-s-shattering-defeat-gave-dutton-a-seismic-shift-in-factional-power-20230330-p5cwoq.html |archive-date=10 April 2023 |access-date=4 December 2023 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> with [[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] stating that she had also been backed by the moderate faction in the leadership election where she was elected as a leader.<ref name=":1" /> Ley identifies as a feminist,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Carol |title=Sussan Ley says she is listening to women who rejected the Liberals. But will she hear what they are saying? |url=https://theconversation.com/sussan-ley-says-she-is-listening-to-women-who-rejected-the-liberals-but-will-she-hear-what-they-are-saying-184448 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614192753/https://theconversation.com/sussan-ley-says-she-is-listening-to-women-who-rejected-the-liberals-but-will-she-hear-what-they-are-saying-184448 |archive-date=14 June 2022 |access-date=14 June 2022 |work=The Conversation |language=en}}</ref> and is a [[Republicanism in Australia|republican]]. In a 2022 interview, she stated "the times change, and no matter how relevant the monarchy might have been, no matter how elegant, it's definitely neither relevant or elegant to my children ... and that view is widespread."<ref>{{cite news |date=12 June 2022 |title='People were fed up': Sussan Ley on her punk past, feminism and why the Liberals lost |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/people-were-fed-up-sussan-ley-on-her-punk-past-feminism-and-why-the-liberals-lost-20220609-p5asnp.html |access-date=13 May 2025 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |first=Peter |last=FitzSimons |authorlink=Peter FitzSimons}}</ref> Ley voted for [[Same-sex marriage in Australia|legalising same-sex marriage]] in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-12-05 |title=Marriage equality law to 'heal the anguish': Sussan Ley |url=https://www.colypointobserver.com.au/story/5103536/marriage-equality-law-to-heal-the-anguish-sussan-ley/ |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=www.colypointobserver.com.au |language=en-au}}</ref>

In 2011, Ley publicly supported the admission of the [[state of Palestine]] to the United Nations and was reported to be a member of the cross-party Parliamentary Friends of Palestine group.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/group-of-mps-backs-palestinian-bid-for-statehood-20110918-1kg2i.html|title=Group of MPs backs Palestinian bid for statehood|first=Daniel|last=Flitton|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=19 September 2011|access-date=12 April 2021|archive-date=12 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412134417/https://www.smh.com.au/national/group-of-mps-backs-palestinian-bid-for-statehood-20110918-1kg2i.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2022, Ley travelled to Israel, leading a delegation on a trip organised by [[AIJAC]], to reaffirm the Coalition's commitment to [[West Jerusalem]] as [[capital of Israel|the nation’s capital]] and observe the impact of the [[Abraham Accords]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/sussan-ley-leads-liberal-delegation-to-israel/news-story/a3d6228d4fb8de2455e29ea7f16bc5e6|title=Ley leads delegation to Israel|first=Joe|last=Kelly|work=[[The Australian]]|date=28 October 2022|access-date=13 May 2025|archive-date=|archive-url=}}</ref> Ley said the accords and her visit had changed her view.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.australianjewishnews.com/ley-reflects-on-israel/|title=Ley reflects on Israel|first=|last=|work=[[The Australian Jewish News]]|date=7 September 2023|access-date=13 May 2025|archive-date=|archive-url=}}</ref> In June 2024, Ley criticised Labor's decision not to expel [[Fatima Payman]] after Payman [[crossing the floor|crossed the floor]] to express support for Palestine, at which time Payman accused Israel of committing [[genocide]] during [[Gaza war]] and using phrase "[[From the river to the sea]], Palestine will be free".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Sussan Ley blasts Labor's decision not to expel Fatima Payman after Senator crossed the floor on Palestinian statehood |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/sussan-ley-blasts-labors-decision-not-to-expel-fatima-payman-after-senator-crossed-the-floor-on-palestinian-statehood/news-story/be680980b8847098b3db29004ed2a551 |date=26 June 2024 |access-date=15 May 2025 |first=Gemma |last=Crotty |work=Sky News}}</ref> As opposition leader in August 2025, Ley stated she would reverse the [[Albanese government]]'s decision to [[International recognition of Palestine|recognise a Palestinian state]] should she win office.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-12/albanese-says-israel-prime-minister-in-denial/105640946|title=Coalition vows to revoke Australia's recognition of a Palestinian state|work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|first=Maani|last=Truu|date=12 August 2025|accessdate=17 August 2025}}</ref>

In May 2018, Ley introduced a [[private member's bill]] to ban the live export of sheep.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sussan Ley builds support to ban 'terminal' live sheep trade|url=http://www.afr.com/news/sussan-ley-builds-support-to-ban-terminal-live-sheep-trade-20180521-h10bl3|access-date=24 May 2018|work=Financial Review|date=21 May 2018|archive-date=25 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525062147/http://www.afr.com/news/sussan-ley-builds-support-to-ban-terminal-live-sheep-trade-20180521-h10bl3|url-status=live|first1=Andrew|last1=Tillett|first2=Brad|last2=Thompson}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/may/21/coalition-mps-introduce-bill-for-ban-on-live-exports-saying-industry-is-not-viable |title=Coalition MPs introduce bill for ban on live exports, saying industry is not viable |first=Paul |last=Karp |date=21 May 2018 |publisher=[[Guardian Australia]] |access-date=10 September 2018 |archive-date=10 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910131652/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/may/21/coalition-mps-introduce-bill-for-ban-on-live-exports-saying-industry-is-not-viable |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2023, Ley changed her position and stated her support for the sheep live export industry.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-05 |title='I'm on side': Sussan Ley backflips on live sheep exports |url=https://www.countryman.com.au/countryman/livestock/deputy-opposition-leader-backflips-on-live-sheep-exports-after-trying-to-ban-industry-c-10138485 |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=Countryman |language=en}}</ref> In 2023, Ley supported the No vote in the [[2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=McIlroy |first=Tom |date=30 May 2023 |title='Stop the moral blackmail' on the Voice: Sussan Ley |url=https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/stop-the-moral-blackmail-on-the-voice-sussan-ley-20230530-p5dcgo |access-date=11 September 2023 |website=AFR.com |archive-date=1 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001191459/https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/stop-the-moral-blackmail-on-the-voice-sussan-ley-20230530-p5dcgo |url-status=live }}</ref> Ley has voiced support for [[Elon Musk]] and during [[Australia Day]] celebrations in 2025 was quoted as comparing the British colonisation of Australia to Musk's intended [[colonisation of Mars]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Evans |first=Jake |date=27 January 2025 |title='Strange': PM says Ley's Musk analogy disrespected Indigenous Australians |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-27/abanese-sussan-ley-elon-musk-analogy-disrespectful/104862906 |access-date=2025-02-05 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref> In 2024, Ley said she was "disappointed" in Musk and backed the eSafety commissioner [[Julie Inman Grant]], "I'm for X obeying the law, and I'm not for the actions and the statements of our eSafety commissioner being ignored."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Butler |first=Josh |date=2024-04-25 |title=Peter Dutton backs Elon Musk and contradicts Sussan Ley on 'silly' demand for global removal of stabbing footage |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/apr/25/sydney-church-stabbing-x-content-removal-elon-musk-peter-dutton-esafety-commissioner |access-date=2025-05-15 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
== Personal life ==
Ley met John Ley while aerial stock-mustering in south-west [[Queensland]]. They married in 1987, settled on her husband's family farm in north-east [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], and had three children before their 2004 divorce.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hutchens|first1=Garth|title=Sussan Ley: From punk rocker to health minister|url=http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/sussan-ley-from-punk-rocker-to-health-minister-20141222-12c643.html|access-date=22 December 2014|work=The Age|date=22 December 2014|archive-date=25 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225033721/http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/sussan-ley-from-punk-rocker-to-health-minister-20141222-12c643.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Ley has multiple grandchildren, residing on the NSW Central Coast.<ref>{{Cite news|date=20 December 2024|title=The podcast all of federal parliament is obsessed with|url=https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/the-podcast-all-of-federal-parliament-is-obsessed-with-20241218-p5kzir|access-date=22 December 2024|work=The Australian Financial Review|language=en-GB|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Ley lives in Albury, and owns an investment property in Albury and one on the [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sussan Ley's private interests|url=https://openpolitics.au/47/sussan-ley|access-date=3 October 2024|website=openpolitics.au|language=en}}</ref>

Ley is [[vegetarian]].<ref name=vegetarian/> She is a supporter of the [[Sydney Swans]] Australian rules football club.<ref>{{cite web |last=Taylor |first=Caleb |date=27 September 2024 |title=Liberal MP Sussan Ley and Labor minister Jason Clare unite for Sydney Swans' AFL grand final push |url=https://7news.com.au/sunrise/liberal-mp-sussan-ley-and-labor-minister-jason-clare-unite-for-sydney-swans-afl-grand-final-push--c-16196526 |access-date=16 May 2025 |work=[[Seven News]]}}</ref> Ley's mother Angela Braybrooks died on 17 May 2025, four days after Ley's election as opposition leader.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Knott |first=Matthew |date=2025-05-17 |title='Gift of fate': Sussan Ley mourns death of mother Angela |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/gift-of-fate-sussan-ley-mourns-death-of-mother-angela-20250517-p5m00a.html |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref> She had been living in an aged care home in [[Albury]], [[New South Wales]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-05-17 |title=Liberal leader Sussan Ley's mother dies, days after leadership success |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-17/liberal-opposition-leader-sussan-leys-mother-dies/105305044 |access-date=2025-05-20 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Sussan Ley}}
* {{Official website|sussanley.com}}
* [https://www.fedcourt.gov.au/services/access-to-files-and-transcripts/online-files/minister-for-the-environment-v-sharma Minister for the Environment v Sharma] [[Federal Court of Australia]] online file

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ley, Sussan}}
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