The Liberal Party is expected to rapidly seek to replace its ousted leader and task them with the unenviable duty of rebuilding the shattered party its worse-ever defeat in a federal election.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton was the highest-profile casualty as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Labor Party swept to victory in an historic landslide win at the ballot box on Saturday returned them to parliament as a majority government.
Mr Dutton conceded defeat not only in the election but his own seat of Dickson, which he had held for almost a quarter of a century, at 9.30pm on Saturday after being toppled by Labor’s Ali France in her third tilt at the west Brisbane electorate.
The Liberal veteran’s shock capitulation, which saw a swing of almost 11 per cent against him, has left his party in freefall, with no obvious successor and no clear sense of identity.
As of 10.30am on Sunday, the Coalition had secured just 37 seats following an unprecedented routing, as attention shifted to who would replace Mr Dutton and be given the task of rebuilding the shattered alliance.
War hero and former assistant minister for defence Andrew Hastie and former shadow treasurer Angus Taylor were among the early front runners to emerge in the race for the leadership, with more MPs expected to declare their interest in the days ahead.
Former prime minister Scott Morrison’s one-time advisor Andrew Carswell said it was vital the party successfully navigated the leadership succession while delivering a scathing assessment of the Coalition’s walloping in the poll.
‘It’s a complete catastrophe for the Coalition, an unmitigated failure,’ he told Daily Mail Australia on Sunday morning.
A dejected Peter Dutton concedes defeat both in the federal election and in his own seat while flanked by his sons, Harry and Tom, on Saturday night
‘This is a party now staring down the barrel at three terms in opposition, having watched the Liberal rump of the Coalition get decimated.
‘The Dutton experiment failed and I think the anger and frustration that people had towards Albanese and Labor, wasn’t strong enough to overcome people’s clear hesitation with Peter Dutton.
‘There are some very good up-and-coming MPs and Andrew Hastie is one of those that should be putting up his hand to lead the party.’
Former shadow immigration minister Tan Dehan’s name was also mentioned among those who might put their hand up for the role – alongside Sussan Ley and Julian Lesser – though he refused to be drawn on his ambitions on Sunday morning.
‘I’m giving you a straight answer… I haven’t thought about it,’ he told Sky News.
So who are they key candidates – and how likely are they to lead?
Angus Taylor
The former shadow treasurer is one of the Coalition’s recognisable faces – such as they are – and was amongst the first names to be bandied about to assume the Liberal Party’s now vacant leadership role.
He has been a stalwart for the Libs in the NSW seat of Hume since first being elected to parliament in 2013 and enjoys the support of the National Right faction.
Liberal member for Hume Angus Taylor
The 58-year-old Rhodes scholar and father-of-four has severed as both energy minister in Scott Morrison’s Cabinet and minister for law enforcement and cybersecurity under Malcolm Turnbull.
However, his profile – and prominent role in the weekend’s devastating defeat – could end up counting against him when it comes time for the Liberals settle on a successor this week.
Andrew Hastie
A former captain in the Australian Army, Mr Hastie served the nation as a troop commander in the Special Air Service Regiment in Afghanistan before entering public office.
He has held the seat of Canning in Western Australia since September 2015, just one month after retiring from the Australian Defence Force, after winning a by-election to replace his successor, Don Randall, following his fatal heart attack.
Since then, the 42-year-old father-of-three has served as the assistant minister for defence under both Linda Reynolds and Peter Dutton in the Morrison Government.
If he secured the role, Mr Hastie would be the first war veteran, engaged in an overseas combat, to lead the Liberal Party since John Gorton was prime minister from 1968 to 1971.
Liberal member or Canning Andrew Hastie
Mr Hastie, who was one of the few Liberal MPs who scored a big swing to him, has already won the support of prominent Liberal senator and fellow West Australian Michaelia Cash in any forthcoming tilt at the title of party leader.
The question will be whether he wants it.
Sussan Ley
The deputy opposition leader is one of the Liberal Party’s most-experienced hands, having served as a Cabinet minister under the Coalition’s past three prime ministers – Tony Abbott, Mr Turnbull and Mr Morrison.
A former commercial pilot, farmer and public servant, she has held the blue ribbon seat of Farrer in NSW’s south-west following the retirement of her long-serving successor and former National Party leader and deputy prime minister Tim Fischer.
Liberal member for Farrer Sussan Ley
The 63-year-old mother-of-three, who will take over temporarily as leader in Mr Dutton’s absence, has garnered support across the party throughout her quarter of a century in parliament.
However, again, her close connection to the weekend’s humiliating trouncing could count against her.
Dan Tehan
The former shadow immigration spokesman might not have contemplated a possible push to replace the ousted Mr Dutton just yet – but that doesn’t mean others aren’t considering his future for him.
The one-time public servant and political adviser has been one of the Liberal Party’s most polished and versatile operatives since assuming public office 15 years ago.
Liberal member for Wannon Dan Tehan
The 57-year-old father of five served as the minister for defence matriel, veterans’ affairs, defence personnnel and, ultimately, social serves in Mr Turnbull’s Cabinet before taking on the education and then trade, tourism and investment portfolios under Mr Morrison.
He has held the Victorian seat of Wannon since 2010, after replacing Liberal Party successor David Hawker following his retirement, saw off a challenge from former Triple J host Alex Dyson at this election and is considered one of the hottest contenders outside Mr Taylor, Ms Ley and Mr Hastie.
Julian Lesser
The former shadow attorney-general could be tempted to pitch himself as a more moderate alternative for the party leadership as the Liberals look to rebuild.
Indeed, the 48-year-old former solicitor has become one of the moderate faction’s most respected statesmen since replacing the party’s longest serving member, Philip Ruddock, in 2016.
Of course, the father-of-two will need to ensure he wins his seat of Berowra, which is proving to be quite a tight contested, before even considering a mounting a leadership challenge.
Liberal member for Berowra Julian Leeser
That said, he was on track to secure victory by just over 2,500 votes on Sunday morning, despite suffering a swing of more than six per cent to Labor candidate Benson Koschinski.
Still, even then, he would need an effective divide and conquer strategy to clinch the leadership with the weak moderate faction unlikely to be unable to muster the numbers to mount a genuine tilt.
