Liberal leader Sussan Ley says she’s not worried as Andrew Hastie’s absence fuels leadership speculation

Sussan Ley has batted away questions about Andrew Hastie’s leadership aspirations, as the shadow home affairs Minister was notably absent from her welcoming party in Perth. The Opposition Leader was instead met by Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Michaelia Cash on Tuesday, to kick off her third visit to Western Australia since the Federal election. “I’ll be seeing all my shadow ministry colleagues and, indeed, all my colleagues next week in Canberra,” Ms Ley said. She hasn’t attended any WA events with Mr Hastie since the May election, and has been repeatedly forced to defend her leadership over claims he’s undermining it - with his own social media push for an “Australia first” agenda on net zero, car manufacturing and migration. Ms Ley called him a “valued colleague”, insisted she’s not worried about her leadership and denied his absence — he is on leave — would fuel speculation. “That is entirely conjecture on your part, and I believe I’ve answered that question” she said. “It’s the Prime Minister’s leadership I’m concerned about today.” Ms Ley and Senator Cash convened a business round-table with local industry groups, including the Australian Hotels Association and former Liberal candidate turned Master Builders WA chief executive Matt Moran. They met at an Applecross pizza joint, just metres from the office of State Labor MP Kim Giddens in what used to be Liberal party heartland. Ms Ley is also due to travel to Karratha, to tour mining operations. She said Alcoa’s decision to close its alumina refinery in Kwinana was proof the Albanese Government’s pledge to make things in Australia is hollow. “It only adds to the fragility of our alumina and aluminium manufacturing in this country when we have announcements like this from the great resources state of WA,” she said. “We need energy policies, industry policies and manufacturing policies that back in the great manufacturing ability of Australia and the great resources contribution that WA makes. “So every time you hear Anthony Albanese spruik Made in Australia just think of the number of job losses in genuine manufacturing industries that are going on his watch now.”