Who is Sussan Ley? Australia’s first female opposition leader

The conservative alliance of the opposition Liberal party nominated Sussan Ley as its leader on Tuesday, becoming Australia's first female opposition leader and the first woman to lead the Liberal party in its 80-year history. The 63-year-old is set to replace former leader of the opposition Peter Dutton, who suffered a massive defeat in the recent Australian elections by losing his Queensland seat to Ali France of the Labor party. A former stock mustering pilot, Ley has spent more than 20 years in national politics. The announcement came following the Australia’s cabinet swearing in ceremony on Tuesday after the Labor Party was reelected in a landslide victory on May 3.Ley is perceived as a moderate voice within the Liberal party. She had defeated Angus Taylor - who ran on a promise to restore conservative values - by four votes.While announcing her desire to lead the upcoming elections, Ley said, "Many Australians, including women and younger Australians, feel neglected by the Liberal Party," as reported by BBC. "We need to change. The Liberal Party must respect modern Australia, reflect modern Australia and represent modern Australia,” she added.

Who is Sussan Ley?

Born in Nigeria to English parents, Ley grew up in the United Arab Emirates before moving to Australia at age 13.

She changed her name from “Susan” to “Sussan” due to her belief in numerology. Ley began her political journey in 2001. She was elected to the House of Representatives in the Farrer division of New South Wales for seven terms. Over the course in her political tenure, she has held several significant parliamentary positions and ministerial portfolio. Ley strongly advocates for several rural and regional issues, with a strong focus on bridging the ‘city vs country divide’.

She is passionate about promoting decentralization, supporting farmers, ensuring food security through local production and improving healthcare services in rural areas.“As your elected representative in the Federal Parliament of Australia, I want to hear from you about the issues affecting the citizens and towns in Farrer, as well as provide my constituents with the most up to date information in Federal Parliament,” she said addressing the members of her constituency.