Australian news and politics live: Sussan Ley, Ted O’Brian make first speech since Liberal leadership vote

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley paused before taking questions to reveal her mother is receiving end-of-life care, explaining after the press conference, she would be returning to her bedside.

“I want to acknowledge my mum, Angela, in Albury,” Ms Ley said.

“My mum is very sick and, on Mother’s Day, before I came up here, I called in to see her and I thought that it might be the last time that I did.

“She is in end-of-life care and this week has been tough because I’ve kept in touch with her and her medical team and my family, and I just wanted to mention my mum this morning.

“I know you’ll understand that after I’ve taken all of your questions exhaustively, I will be heading home to be by her side.

“My mum grew up in wartime Britain, and the values of resilience, self-reliance, and persistence that I believe I have today come from her.

“So, thank you, mum.”

Ms Ley detailed her journey from being “a farmer’s wife” and raising three children to Canberra.

The Opposition Leader revealed that draught and “tough times” led her back to studies, which eventually saw her walk into Parliament House as a Liberal.

Ms Ley credited her time amongst the people, towing a caravan around rural Australia, speaking about economics and tariffs, as a reason she understands Australians.

“I knew that nobody in Canberra understood what life was like in the small rural community where I came from,” Ms Ley said.

“That fired my determination to walk into the Government party room, led by John Howard in 2001.

“I am, as I said, incredibly grateful for what the Liberal Party has given me, and everything that I am as I stand before you today is reflected by the party that has been part of, well, over half of my adult life.”

“My story is a migrant story,” Ms Ley said.

“It’s a small-business story. It’s a rural Australia story. It’s a story about a mum and a family, and it is a modern Australian story.

“When I came to this country as a young girl from a cold English boarding school in my teenage years, I stepped out of the aeroplane at Brisbane Airport and I looked at this brilliant blue sky and I knew that I’d come to the best country on Earth.

“I knew that Australia was a place where I could dream my biggest dreams - and I have.

“I’ve never stopped feeling grateful for this country, for what it has given me.”

“I want to do things differently, and we have to have a fresh approach,” Ms Ley said.

“I want to harness the talents of every single person in our party room going forward to develop the clear, articulate policy agenda that does meet Australians where they are.

“To develop robust policy processes, to value those contributions - and I can’t wait to get started, along with Ted, on that important task.

“I want to talk a little bit about me.

“I want to talk about my views of the Liberal Party, because the Liberal Party has shaped the person that I am today.”

“We listened to the Australian people on Saturday, and we will continue to listen to them around the country,” Ms Ley said about the Federal election loss.

“We have to have a Liberal Party that respects modern Australia, that reflects modern Australia, and that represents modern Australia.

“We have to meet the people where they are. That’s what I am committed to doing and what I am determined to do.”

Ms Ley paused her speech to acknowledge Angus Taylow who ran against her for the Liberal Party leadership.

“He would have been a fine leader of the Liberal Party at this time.,” Ms Ley said.

“Angus and I have worked collegiately together over many years - in government, and in opposition.

“He’s an intelligent, talented contributor to so many ideas, initiatives, and what we need to do as a Liberal Party going forward.

“He will have an integral role in our party with the next steps going forward.”

“I have great affection and great connection with the Liberal Party party room over a career of 25 years,” Ms Ley said.

“I’ve spent a lot of time this week talking to my colleagues, and I’m optimistic that they have the right ideas.

“I’m positive about what lies ahead. But on May the 3rd, we faced a significant defeat. And the scale and the size of that defeat is not lost on any of us.

“Right now, we have to respect the result and reflect with humility.”

Liberal Party Leader Sussan Ley started her first speech since winning the leadership vote by saying “good morning” at around 1.30pm AEST.

“It is an enormous privilege to have been elected the leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party. I am humbled. I am honoured,” she said.

“I am up for the job.”

Ms Ley was joined by Liberal Ted O’Brien, the new Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party.

“Here in this room, just a couple of hours ago, our colleagues placed their faith and their trust in us,” Ms Ley said.

“These positions are gifts of our party room.

“I will always respect and value what the members of my party room tell me.”

Newly confirmed Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Michaelia Cash has called for the Coalition to focus on its “values and beliefs” to win back voter support.

“I think Australians will better understand our policies if we make them much more aware of our values and beliefs. Those beliefs are based in freedom – the rights and freedoms of all people,” she said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Those freedoms include freedom of thought, worship, speech and association,” she said.

Senator Cash stressed the belief in “smaller government that minimises interference in people’s daily lives” as well as underscoring “individual freedom and free enterprise.”

Senator Anne Ruston was confirmed as Deputy Leader and Senator Wendy Askew as Liberal Party Whip in the Senate.

Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor has congratulated Sussan Ley for her “milestone” win following his failed bid for the Liberal Party leadership.

“Sussan has led a remarkable life and becoming the first woman to lead the Liberal Party is a milestone for Sussan and our party,” he said in a statement following a vote which he lost, 29 to 25.

After the party’s “historic defeat” in the Federal election, the Liberals had to “do more to convince Australians that the Coalition is the best party to support aspiration, economic opportunity, and the Australian dream,” said Mr Taylor.

Calling, alongside many of his colleagues, for unity, he said he would “contribute the best way I can to help get us back in the fight,” calling for a “strong and competent Opposition to hold this Labor Government to account.”

Mr Taylor’s record on shaping the party’s economic arguments has been cited by critics as contributing to the Opposition’s trouncing at the polls, but he laid out a strong defence of his policies on Tuesday.

“I’m proud that we took to the election strong and practical plans to beat inflation sustainably; repair our housing and energy markets; revive growth by backing small business and investment; deliver targeted, timely tax relief; and restore the Budget to protect our nation,” he said.

He also touted the delivery of the “strongest downpayment on budget repair by an Opposition in 25 years – without economy-wrecking taxes – while provisioning for the defence of our nation.”